“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back - Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth that 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 favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.” - Goethe

I know scores of people who are at a standstill. They are stuck. They refuse to risk. They refuse to commit. They are afraid to begin.

So how does one start? How does one retaliate against fear and Resistance?

My friend Jarrod, in response to another blog about risk, wondered if fear is the real issue when we find ourselves paralyzed. He believes we don’t begin the things we’re afraid of because we lack courage, but because we lack imagination.

I would agree.

I believe the Providence that Goethe speaks of comes to us not so much in the form of bold, defiant, acts of creativity, and forward motion (although it does), but perhaps more so in the form of a vibrant imagination.

Allowing ourselves the space and time to imagine brave new worlds is the catalyst that allows us to begin, not brute force.

Brute force gets you started. Certainly it allows you to begin.

But it is the vision created from your imagination that keeps you going.