Many people feel challenged grasping a concept about which I am crystal clear – “Real freedom is found in commitment”.
In the absence of commitment, in my uncertainty of what to choose of where and how to spend myself, I feel torn and confused about my direction. While experiencing a lack of direction and focus I am less proactive and productive than I would be otherwise. As soon as I make a firm commitment I am present, forward thinking and in action. I don’t look back and I am rarely distracted when I am committed to a course of action. When I catch myself being distracted I recommit – forging ahead with all my energies, doing everything it takes to honor my commitment.
“Commitment is an act, not a word.” – Jean-Paul Sartre
Like most people, I have had and continue to have many opportunities to choose among many attractive options. My experience is that once I make a choice, that option is as perfect as any other I might have made, so long as I am truly committed to it, when I am “all in”.
Admittedly, when I experience the path I chose as difficult I am sometimes tempted to question my choice. I have learned, in these instances, to make “what is” work. I subscribe to the notion of blooming where I am – here and now. As Vince Lombardi instructed, “The measure of who we are is what we do with what we have.”
I am aware of the numerous alternatives I have – from people with whom I stay connected and the ones I invited into my life, the community activities in which I participate, the professional and personal endeavors I pursue and where, in general, I invest my time, money and energy. I believe that in the absence of making conscious committed choices I have no compass to guide my “yes’s” and “no’s” in life. In my conscious commitments I escape the shackles of indecision and create real experiences of freedom.
“Until one is committed there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness.” – William Hutchison Murray
Lori Marcoux is a leadership development coach, facilitator and keynote speaker. For information send an email to: info@extraordinarylearning.com
Lori,
Thank you for the quote by W.H.Murray. I always thought it was by Goethe, so I did a little research and learned what an interesting person Murray was. His words still affect people to this day.
I originally heard the poem, On Commitment, about twenty-five years ago on a 30 minute recording by Wally Famous Amos. I embraced the lecture and performed it at a networking group in Seattle. I received a standing ovation. People were excited and inspired.
Thanks for helping me remember a great message.
Richard
Dumas Bay Center