A Commitment Creates Magic

"Resolution is the directing and impelling force in
individual progress. Without it no substantial work can be
accomplished." - Above Life's Turmoil

The esteemed philosopher Goethe wrote, "Until one is
committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back,
always ineffectiveness." There are so many opportunities
that could make our lives better if we'd only make the
decision (resolution) to pursue them.

Whether it's fear, doubt or some other insecurity that holds
us back, these missed opportunities keep us from living the
life of our dreams.

In 711 a North African warrior, whose army was backed up to
the Mediterranean Sea, gave the unthinkable order to his men
to "burn your boats," thus taking away his army's only means
of escape.

Faced with certain death unless they were victorious, his
army routed their opponents even though they were
outnumbered five to one. When we are likewise resolved, we
too can conquer all the obstacles in our path.

Don't worry about "how-to-do-it." One of my early mistakes
was trying to figure out how I was going to do something
before I'd get committed to do it. Now I think about all of
the great inventions of our time, and I wonder if we'd have
any of them if the inventor had waited to make his
commitment until he knew how he was going to do it.

Making the decision (the resolution) to do it is the most
important part of any undertaking. As W.H. Murray wrote,
"Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness
has genius, power and magic in it!"

If you don't feel like you have enough information to make a
decision, then by all means, get the information. But don't
put off getting the information as a means to put off making
the decision. And don't think you have to have ALL the
information that's available - you only need ENOUGH to fully
evaluate and decide. "Paralysis by analysis" has killed many
a dream.

Any decision is almost always better than no decision as it
puts into play some powerful forces. As Goethe also told us,
"Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is
one elementary truth that 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 dreamed would have come his way."
And that's worth thinking about. (Column By Vic Johnson)