I’m in a peculiar spot. Actually, I’m literally in a perfect spot, gloriously garretted in the icehouse loft, massaging thoughts into words into this blog post with Carley snoring contentedly on a sheepskin rug nearby. A perfect but peculiar spot. The former literal, and the latter figurative. Enough words… Action!
I’m 494 posts into a personal challenge launched on August 1, 2022. As originally conceived, I committed to publish a blog post every day for one year. Re-discipline my writing practice. Resuscitate my creative experimentation. Undertake the emotional and psychological work that would enable me to make some definitive headway with Susan in our often postponed Rosslyn plans.
In a week I will have surpassed 500 daily updates. It will feel good. A benchmark worth celebrating. But this victory remains incomplete. I risk a false sense of accomplishment. So many words. Now it’s time to act.
Buoyed by the confidence of daily discipline, a proud parade of achieved objectives, and loyal sojourners encouraging my ambition, I’m nevertheless, in a peculiar place. Pacing, writhing, and fidgeting, I acknowledge that I’ve talked too much and acted too little.
"Der Worte sind genug gewechselt,lasst mich auch endlich Taten sehn!"(Source: Goethe, Faust I)
Enough words have been exchanged;now at last let me see some deeds!
Hyde Flippo cites these lines by way of contextualizing another similar quotation often misattributed to Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
The Faust lines above are definitely by Goethe.
But are these?
(Source: Hyde Flippo, Did Goethe Really Say “Boldness Has Genius”?)Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.
His compelling post refutes the claim that Goethe wrote these words, instead crediting William Hutchinson Murray.
Here is the full passage properly cited.
Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness.
Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one element of truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans – that moment one commits oneself, then providence moves all.
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 unseen incidents and meetings and material assistance which no man would have dreamed could have come his way.
Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.
Begin it now.
— William Hutchinson Murray
As “braiding” proves an increasingly potent part of my Rosslyn Redux composition, this habitually misattributed passage offers me more than a timely reminder to delve deep into the layers and strands, to rigorously search for accuracy and authenticity, and to embrace the interwoven texture of the story I’m telling. It offers a gentle reproach, perhaps even an admonishment.
Enough words. It’s time for action. Decisive action. Deeds. Stop hedging. Stop flagellating. And act! Boldness is empowering. Begin now.
What do you think?