On Commitment

"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always

ineffectivness. 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 never otherwise have occurred. The

whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner

of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material 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.'"


-from W.H. Murray, "The Scottish Himalayan Expedition"