Beginnings

“Whatever you can do, or dream you can, Begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.”

This seems a good way to begin – with boldness. To write a blog, on the web, where everyone can see it. Though still anonymous for now.

Before going any further though, this quote needs some expansion … and clarification. These two sentences are only the end of a larger quote:

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.

Now for the clarification. Almost every source of this quote cites this as the words of the famous German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. However, that’s not the case as the Goethe Society themselves have uncovered. The full explanation from the Goethe Society is here (and here ). The real author is William Hutchinson Murray.

Thank you Mr. Murray for empowering so many people for the past sixty years.

Let the magic begin!