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 unforseen 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
The Scottish Himalayan Expedition


I found this in my journal from my freshman year of college. I thought it was fantastic. I have always kept excellent journals, and though some of it is rather embarrassing, I really enjoy looking back to all the eras of my life to re-live and glean from my past forgotten gems like this one.