Real commitment
Saturday, March 29th, 2008
“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. 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.”
- wrote mountaineer W.H. Murray in The Scottish Himalayan Expedition. Michael Neill quotes Murray and adds an important way to check-in with yourself:
“An authentic commitment is intrinsically generous - it is a gift you give yourself from the heart. The easiest way to tell the difference between a relectant and authentic commitment is how it feels in your body.
A reluctant commitment brings tension and strain; an authentic commitment brings with it a sense of ease, well-being, and energy.”
Yesterday I had a phone call with a friend. We are working on a fun project together, but I was feeling hesitant and unsure about what I would say and do. I wondered what my friend wanted to happen. I wondered what we would do. It was an upcoming situation that felt hard to me. So I asked myself, “What’s something I’d like to get from this call that’ll make me go wow?”
At first came an answer which was thought-out and uninspired. “I’d like to get physical peace, fun and connection.” These are my names for the three groups of my unique exciting strengths. While my answer made sense, it was nothing new to me.
How did I feel about getting physical peace, fun and connection? I checked in with how I felt. On a scale of 1-100, I gave it an 80. When seeing how close my pointer finger moved to my heart, it only got to the other side of my chest — not very close. I didn’t feel inspired yet. I felt only “okay,” not yet super-wonderful.
So I asked myself again, “What’s something I’d like to get from this call that’ll make me go wow?” This time a new priority came to me: “to finish the current exercise we’re working on, and write it up.” I rated that a 92. Better. I started to smile.
I remembered the musicians I’ve heard in my favorite jazz band, the Mingus Big Band. During solos, the musicians will encourage each other while they play, to play passionate solos, to play their hearts out on the stage for all to hear, to play higher and higher notes if that is where they feel they’ll be extraordinary tonight. ”Higher, man! Higher, higher! You can do it! One more! You got it! Gimme again! One more note! Higher! Oh baby! Higher!” until we are all blown away with the brilliance and clarity of the voice of their music.
I tried it myself. “Higher, man! Higher!” and answered: “Higher? I’d like to finish the exercise on this call in 45 minutes and then get a cappucino.” How do I rate it? On a scale from 1 to 100, it’s a 96! My finger has crossed my chest, almost to my heart. I’m grinning.
I could stop now, but, “You can do it! One more! You got it! Gimme again! One more note! Higher! Oh baby! Higher!” Now I feel great, and when the answer comes, “Higher? I’d like to buy a cappucino now, and then do the exercise on the call!” I get a shiver.
It feels so right. That shiver is what I get when something extraordinary hits me. It could be a climax in a movie, or the feeling when a woman intimately touches my body. It’s also when I hear an idea which I just know will lead to fantastic things when put into action.
My finger reaches my heart. It actually, although it sounds incredible to be saying this, briefly brings tears to my eyes. On a scale of 1 to 100, this is a 98.
I ask myself, “What’s getting in the way of doing it?” I find that I’ve already started preparing for the call, typing down notes for the call and later grabbing my jacket to head outside. I answer, “Nothing’s getting in the way.”
I’m committed.
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