Thank you to my friend S for passing on this quote from Goethe. He (S, not Goethe) has just made a big, exciting decision to move his career, life, and family around the globe. He passed this on to me when I told him about my plan, and about how I'm still waffling about committing to it.
Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back-- 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. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.(Edited to add that it turns out this quote is actually from W. H. Murray in "The Scottish Himalaya Expedition", 1951. Thanks, Phonella!)
Goethe.
1 Comment:
This quote is very comforting and inspirational (even for someone who is not embarking on a journey such as you are planning).
I wanted to learn more about the context of this quote and found out that although it's often attributed to Goethe, it was penned by W. H. Murray in "The Scottish Himalaya Expedition", 1951 (who in addition mentions one of Goethe's couplets).
The context is even more serendipitously applicable to your situation because the gist of his words on commitment came when he "booked a sailing to Bombay".
Ref: The Goethe Society of North America - Quotations
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