Beginning: A Big Part of Any Process

We seem at times to find ourselves running in ruts, in discouragement, assuming that things must be about as they are, with not much vision, or encouragement for the future. There are some who find themselves held by negative or harmful habits, who resign themselves, and despair from doing anything different. But we need to learn that the last opportunity has not yet presented itself, that many things are possible—that the last effort has not been put forth or proved, and that the last so-called “impossible” things have often proved to be possible. Many examples could be given of those, who, far beyond the usual years, have moved successfully into new fields; have developed talents; have produced significant works; have conquered many problems, habits, difficulties, discouragement. But even the young find themselves in ruts, wasting time, wasting opportunity, not wasting it deliberately, but wasting it simply by not beginning, by not getting up and going. There is little that others can do for us without our won interest and involvement, but there is much that we can do concerning ourselves. We have read somewhere a sentence which says: “Begin. The rest is easy.” This, of course, is oversimplified, but it is true that beginning is a big part of any process—good or bad. The importance of beginning or not beginning could scarcely be over-emphasized. And one of the main things to remember when something should be done, is to begin, to move, and then to follow through. “There is nothing so fatal to character,” said David Lloyd George, “as half-finished tasks.” “The greatest requirement for success,” said Lord Roy Thomson, “is a great determination to succeed.” “Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life” will remain with us everlastingly. There is no cut-off point—no time, young or old, to give up learning or useful interests or activities. Learning and doing are important early and late in life. “The great thing in this world is not so much where we are, but in what direction we are moving.”