Sometimes, when feeling discouraged or frustrated, it is necessary to hear someone else’s story or read encouraging words. I subscribe to Audible.com and on a whim I picked up the excellent book, the War of Art by Steven Pressfield. In his book, Pressfield quotes W. H. Murray, who is in turn quoting Goethe. I really like what they all had to say, and I need to remember it and move some projects and goals forward. I also like that there was so much quoting going on!
“Until one is committed there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and endless plans. That the moment one definitely commits oneself then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never have otherwise occurred. A whole stream of events issue from the decision, raising in one’s favour all manner of unforeseen incidents, and meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would 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.'”
W. H. Murray
