“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 favour all manner of unforeseen incidents and 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!”
– William H. Murray (Scottish Mountaineer and Writer)

Commitment.

This word conjures up all kinds of images. It has never been a glamorous word.

You think of the “old ball and chain”. Boredom. Obligation. Being stuck in something you really don’t want to do or somewhere you want to me.

It is used for mental institutions, prisons… Commitment hints at a loss of freedom.

It sounds like pain and suffering. Even worse, drudgery.

You can see the “committed” person grimfaced, teeth clenched.

Oh, Just grin and bear it!

For the longest time, this is how I felt about commitment.

Then I came across the verse from James 1:6-8

“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.”

Until you make a commitment about that thing, whatever it is, you will be double-minded and unfocused. You will waste a lot of energy, fretting about everything.

Commitment is defined by Merriam-Webster as “a promise to do or give something: a promise to be loyal to someone or something : the attitude of someone who works very hard to do or support something.”

I am learning that commitment is actually liberating.

Draw the line in the sand. Burn the boats. And suddenly, you are focused like a laser.

Eliminating every other option, you are no longer distracted by “what ifs”.

You get married. You commit to loving someone through thick and thin. You don’t have to fret about your insecurities, and sweat the small stuff. You look at the big picture and say ” I choose to love this person through this.” It takes all the angst away. You are free to be yourself.

I decided to write a blog. Encouraged by friends, I had been mulling the idea for years.

But I just didn’t have the time. And I couldn’t find the courage.

Years flew by, kids came. Busier than ever. Still couldn’t find the time. Didn’t know what to talk about.

Being a recovering perfectionist, I usually would wait for just the right time to do anything. If I couldn’t do it perfectly, exactly the way I envisioned it, I wouldn’t do it.

I think of the lyrics from one of my favorite songs, “Time” by Pink Floyd,

“Every year is getting shorter, never seem to find the time
Plans that either come to naught, or half a page of scribbled lines.
Hanging on in quiet desperation is the English way,
The time is gone, the song is over…
Thought I’d something more to say…”

I wasted a lot of time waiting for the right moment, the right time, the right skills.

So I decided to commit.

I drew a line in the sand and decided to not only write but publish my posts. I committed to a schedule and decided to publish a post no matter what.

I am learning that all it takes is to show up and do the work. Show up no matter what.

When do I write? Currently, at night, after putting the kids to bed. Yes, I am exhausted from a full day’s work but I am committed to living my ideals. I am committed to publishing a post on Monday and Thursday each week. All it takes is showing up. Everything else falls into place.

Imperfection is ok. Just keep working.

Think of jazz musicians who commit to practicing scales hours daily. When they gig, the improvisations flow freely because they have shown up daily for the practice.

Tomorrow never comes.

“Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it.”

Start now. Do it.

Draw that line. Burn the boat. March past that Point of No return.

And then watch as “Providence moves” to help you.

Practicing Commitment:
1. What do you need to commit to right now?
2. What do you need to help you draw that line in the sand? A Deadline? Support?
3. What boats do you need to burn?
4. When can you commit to no longer breaking your promises? Especially the ones you make to yourself?
5. What is the smallest step you can take to making your commitment?
6. Consider this quote by Sammy Davis Jr.: “You always have two choices- your commitment versus your fear”. What are you afraid of? How can you harness the power of choice to move forward?
7. Peter Drucker says,”Unless commitment is made, there are only promises and hopes but no plans”. Mark your calendar. Write that plan. Then follow through. And share your experience.

See you next week!

Yvonne Whitelaw writes for Yvonnewhitelaw.com where she blogs about her quest to grow into her ideals in her “Live Your Ideals Project”. By sharing her lessons along the way, she hopes you will be inspired to live your ideals and ultimately live your calling.