"Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it."
--Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Many years ago as a struggling artist I was at my wits end. It seemed like I was always beginning again. Some years later as an entrepreneur I felt the same nagging overwhelming feeling. Why must I begin again and again I wondered. Yet, I kept going, having some successes but mostly failures, exhausting experiences and learning for that time, until yet another--beginning again.
This morning as I was walking carefully through one of my rooms that I had not fully unpacked I stepped on an old book bag and a recording with my voice quoting the above passage rang out. I stepped again and the the quote was repeated. I did so again and yet another time. I laughed aloud, remembering the time, but not particularly the event or place. I seemed to have always been beginning again after thoroughly exhausting my way through a number of professions though perhaps not reaching the pinnacle of any in the sense that nobody knew my name, not that this was important. The living was. Nothing has changed.
Initially, I didn't know from where my voice had emanated. There were book bags full of years of journals, folded wool sweaters, papers strewn over the floor and books stacked everywhere. I searched through the book bag upon which my foot had landed. But I couldn't find the device. I was looking for a hand recorder I once used to record rehearsals, bypassing years of writing, and, ah, there it was: a small key chain made as a microphone that simply had two buttons, one red one for record and one black one for play. I pressed it again, this time with my finger. Memories rushed in.
"Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it."
Be bold. Begin again and again even if, especially if, in one area alone personally or professionally. Strike out, yet again. Embrace newness. Just begin. "Boldness has genius, power and magic in it."
14 comments:
Judith, excellent words to live by. Yet, we somehow allow ourselves to become stifled by life and no longer dare to dream creating every conceivable excuse: I'm too old, I don't have the money, I don't have the talent, it's too risky, it's never going to work, etc. We manifest our destiny towards failure instead of manifesting it towards success.
I love this quote. I'm going to write it in my little book that I carry with me daily so that I may read those words yet again and again...
Rebecca - I am so VERY HAPPY that the quote inspires you. It has me inspired me for many many years. Finding it today in the way that I did was a COMPLETE JOY!
I love your words above. They are so true. Thank you.
"Be bold. Begin again and again even if, especially if, in one area alone personally or professionally. Strike out, yet again. Embrace newness. Just begin"
Terrific words indeed and particularly applicable to me given the setbacks associated with the Foundations4 project over the past months. "Just begin"...will do, right now!
Thanks Judith, as always, great advise...
Dave - I know the setbacks you encountered with Foundations4. The most encouraging thing indeed was in how you regrouped and in no time at all developed another plan to move forward.
I love your new project, The Change Exchange. You can include some of the changes you sought with Foundations4 in this project. I'm calling your new direction a project, but it is bigger than that. There will undoubtedly be many projects within The Change Exchange. Nothing is lost, my friend. Nothing.
It is also important to note that beginning again is not simply hoping from one thing to another, having developed no roots in anything and not exhausted all of your efforts; it's knowing when to move.
I think you situation warranted a move, a re-organization of sorts, if you will--as that which you have developed need not be lost in your new effort.
The energy and effort you put into Foundations4 is much appreciated, Dave. Thank you for that. It was inspiring. If I can help at all just let me know. I wish you all the very best. This you already know.
Auntie Judith,
Thanks you my friend! You're the best!
Pleasure, Dave. From what I have come to know of you, your heart and actions are in the right place. Best!
What a perfect example of synchronicity! That's long been one of my favorite quotes and I really needed to see it today. Thank you for posting it. (Check out my blog post for today when you get a chance. I'd love to know what you think of the quote by Vincent Van Gogh and Henri Nouwen's thoughts on it...)
I love how you ended up quoting back to your own self. Too perfect! Blessings, Judith!!
Marion - Life is a forever learning process, a forever beginning.
The quote back to myself, as you so rightly put it, and a reminder to others is just that indeed. Begin again...
I'll check out your blog for sure. I pop through frequently.
Many blessings also to you, Marion!
Judith, that quote has been on my list for a long time.
For a great many years I often said that I was waiting for my life to begin. I said that even though I was quite busy as an actor. Finally I was able to say to myself "Self, stop wondering what your life is about. You're living it." Of course, starting over is part of living. We do it all the time. The farmer has to plant evey year. He may change the seeds, but not the work.
DB
DB - Your words are always thoughtful and insightful. I appreciate you, dear sir.
Judith, this is an inspirational post. A reminder to make the most of every opportunity that comes our way... to ‘seize each day’!
Catherine - I'm so very happy you find the post inspirational. "The blessings of the Lord makes rich and adds NO sorrow to it." Much love to you.
Great Quote! I believe that you should start to chase your dreams at a young age. If you start young and achieve young then you know how great the feeling is. This will only inspire you to go out and keep acheiving more. However, if you dont start at a young age that doesnt mean you cant do it. You can still be bold!
Ryan - I understand your point. But I must also say that beginning early, and I agree that we should, after many many years of not achieving your goals, may have the exact opposite effect. I love the quote by the novelist, George Eliot, which says "It is never to late to be what you might have been." Be bold!
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