W. H. Murray was a Scottish mountaineer whose love of mount climbing is evident in his life. One of my favorite quotes comes from his book, The Scottish Himalayan Expedition. In it he writes:
” … 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 it is of great consequence.
Until one is committed, there is always 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, the Providence moves too.
All sorts of things occur to help the 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.'”
I am so glad to have more details of this remarkable man’s life. It has been helpful and instructive to me.
I must admit that I have become indecisive about my life. I have been feeling discouraged about the diminishing attendance in our Center. I have been wondering if it was time to retire. (Although I did not know how to do that!)
So I got clear! I reminded myself of what I am and why I am here.
I am committed to growing my own consciousness, to elevate it so that I am worthy of what one of my practitioners calls, “the best job in the world.” Indeed, it is an honor and a privilege to be in service as the senior minster here at the Center for Spiritual Living.
From that elevated consciousness, I am committed to growing our community to a place in which we care for each other’s well-being, we celebrate each other’s successes and we are a place of safety and love, encouraging all who choose a path of oneness and compassion and forgiveness. My commitment is to live from possibilities, no matter what! Our community is about the people in it. It is not about where we are physically located.
We have not been working together toward a shared vision. Nor have I been clear about casting that vision. Of course, I cannot do this by myself. I will need the support and help of our members and friends.
Just as the finale in the musical Les Miserables states:
“Will you join in our crusade? Who will be strong and stand with me? Beyond the barricade Is there a world you long to see?
The world I long to see, is one in which we love the life we are living and live the life we love. In it we see each other through God’s Eyes, with compassion, tenderness and conviction. Each one of us can live the life he or she came here to live.
