The Power of Commitment

Not long ago, a young friend wrote me saying something like this...
"Hi Tony, I wanted to share a quote with you."

"You're probably already familiar with it, but, in case you're not, I think you'll like it because it's similar to one of your favorite quotes by Wallace D. Wattles."

"Here it is:"

"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. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way."

"I 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!"

I was already familiar with this quote by W. H. Murray (William Hutchinson Murray, 1913-1996) from his 1951 book entitled "The Scottish Himalayan Expedition", but, until my young friend's email, I'd long forgotten just how good it was.

Did you ever wonder why most people don't get what they want (and, quite frankly, most people don't!)?

Well...
I'll tell you why...
I'll tell you *exactly* why...
Most people don't get what they want because they've never made a *firm decision* as to *exactly* what it is that they want.
In other words...
They don't *really* know what they want.
They may think they do...
But...
The bottom line is...
They don't!
And...
Out of the very few who've made a *firm decision* as to *exactly* what it is that they want...

Even fewer...
Only a tiny handful...
Have *committed* themselves to getting it by *beginning* to move toward what they want...
Thus...
Tapping into the power within themselves...
The power that causes, as W. H. Murray wrote:

"A whole stream of events issues... raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance..."

Of all that Wallace D. Wattles wrote, there's one passage, the one my young friend was referring to, that I refer to more than all the others combined. I've quoted it or from it in my replies to hundreds of questions. It forms the very "core" of my personal philosophy.

Here it is...
It comes from his book "The Science of Being Great":
"Have perfect faith in yourself and in your ability to cope with any combination of circumstances that may arise. Do not be disturbed if you are alone; if you need friends they will come to you at the right time. Do not be disturbed if you feel that you are ignorant; the information that you need will be furnished you when it is time for you to have it. That which is in you impelling you forward is in the things and people you need, impelling them toward you. If there is a particular man you need to know, he will be introduced to you; if there is a particular book you need to read it will be placed in your hands at the right time. All the knowledge you need will come to you from both external and internal sources. Your information and your talents will always be equal to the requirements of the occasion. Remember that Jesus told his disciples not to worry as to what they would say when brought before the judges; he knew that the power in them would be sufficient for the need!
s of the hour."

That very same power is in you!

So...

"Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it!"

Copyright (c) 2007 Tony Mase