I saw this quote last week--and then re-found it in Wikipedia, under the entry for W. H. Murray .
but when I said that nothing had been done I erred in one important matter. We had definitely committed ourselves and were halfway out of our ruts. We had put down our passage money— booked a sailing to Bombay. This may sound too simple, but is great in consequence. 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 heard Mother Angelica say in an interview, when asked about starting EWTN, that once you take the first step God supplies the grace needed to keep going. There is also a similar quote from Dorothea Brande, "Act boldly, and unseen forces will come to your aid." Those of us who tend to be timid should take this seriously.
