Commitment

Today I met with one of the people that I am mentoring in his recovery process. It is a real pleasure for me to watch his excitement as his life changes in response to his definite commitment to the recovery process. His rapid progress reminds me of the comments of W. H. Murray of the Scottish Himalayan Expedition; "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. 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 Goethe's couplets: "Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it./ Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it."