Commitment

Until one is committed there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectualness. 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. 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 Geothe’s couplets:

“Whatever you can do or dream you can,
begin it.
Boldness has genius
Power and magic in it.”

–from W.H. Murray, written on the West Ridge of Mt. Everest