Commitment

Until one is committed

there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back,

always ineffectiveness.

Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation),

there is one elementary truth,

the ignorance of which kills countless ideas

and splendid plans:

That the moment one definitely commits oneself,

then Providence moves too.

All sorts of things occur to help one

that would otherwise never have occurred.

A whole stream of events issues from the decision,

raising in one's favor all manner

of unforeseen incidents and meetings

and material assistance,

which no man could have dreamt

would have come his way.

I have learned a deep respect for one of Goethe's couplets:

“Whatever you can do, or dream you can -- begin it.

Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.”

--- W.N. Murray from The Scottish Himalayan Expedition, 1951