Commitment

[linaewen]

Here's a nifty little bit of inspiration I received in my email yesterday. It's a quote from a Starbucks customer that was printed on a Starbucks coffee cup:

"The irony of commitment is that it's deeply liberating –- in work, in play, in love. The act frees you from the tyranny of your internal critic, from the fear that likes to dress itself up and parade around like rational hesitation. To commit is to remove your head as the barrier to your life."
-- Ann Morris, New York

It's seems funny that commiting ourselves to something would be liberating. Wouldn't it be more like confining ourselves, restricting ourselves to a course of action or a situation when we would rather have freedom to do as we please when we please?

I can see what this is saying, though. I can see many applications of this principle -- spiritual and emotional and relational -- but the application that really hits me between the eyes is how this applies to my List of Doom. I can see how truly liberating it would be to just get up and do something that has been bugging me -- and then I am free of the weight of it!

That's what I need for myself today -- some commitment to the tasks I see that need doing, so that I won't be beating myself up for not getting them done. There's always a good reason in my head that convinces me it's okay to not do something, to wait and do it later, or to do it shoddily -- but it really doesn't help in the end. That just makes me feel more enslaved to the List. What actually works is to stop analyzing WHY I am not getting things done, commit myself to doing -- and then DO.

And so I shall. ;-) I'll let you know how it goes.

Comments

hmmmm

[lyria-theringer.livejournal.com]

that is a very interesting quote, Lin. Thanks for posting it. It is provoking some thought for me right now.

I think the List of Doom is a perfect example. You are absolutely right in that respect. I have my own list of doom that I should be working on as well. I am just at the point that I am so overwhelmed that I don't know where to start! EEp!

Maybe now that I have this to think about, I can don something on my list as well!!

(((((Lin))))
and thanks for always being there to see when I post. You are an amazing woman, and give such strength to us all! You are an inspiration, my dear!

Re: hmmmm

[lin4gondor.livejournal.com]

I know what you mean about being overwhelmed, and it's hard not to look at the whole list, instead of just one thing on the list. Hope you can manage one thing at least, it sure feels good to get some things done!

And thank you for your sweet words, my dear. It made my day to hear them this morning! ((((You))))

[siradaono.livejournal.com]

remember where He said;
Take my yoke upon you....

commit to following and it is easier than anything.

same idea i guess.

G'Day Lin!

[lin4gondor.livejournal.com]

You are right -- commitment makes decision-making a heck of a lot easier, doesn't it? Some things just aren't an option and that makes the burden light.

[estellye.livejournal.com]

the fear that likes to dress itself up and parade around like rational hesitation

That bit really spoke to me. That is a very thought provoking quote and you're right it does have a myriad of applications. *ponders*

((((Lin)))) May the List of Doom quail in the face of your commitment! Here is a bow to back you and Boromir up.

[lin4gondor.livejournal.com]

((((You))))

Hope you have had a successful day so far -- I could have done more, but I'm not thinking of it like that. I'm only looking at the things I did do, and it's giving me a good feeling.

[aragornlover.livejournal.com]

Girl, I have the same problem sometimes. I've got things to do around my apartment that just need to get DONE! You have inspired me to do it! *hugs*

[lin4gondor.livejournal.com]

So how did you do on those things that needed doing? Among other things, I got my hair cut, which I had been putting off!

[aragornlover.livejournal.com]

So far I've managed to get my bathroom straightened up, but that's about it. I'm going out with some girls from church tonight, so I'll be working on things late tonight when I get back, but I'm gonna finish! I'm DETERMINED! :o)

Yay for getting a hair cut! As for me...I think I'm gonna let mine grow back out. It's been short for a year now...it's time for a change. You should post a pic of your new 'do' for us. ;o)

[fafojoy.livejournal.com]

I like that quote. I find committment - purpose - very liberating. I don't have to think about it anymore, weigh the choices, the pros/cons, - I can just do it. Hmm.. sounds a bit like a Nike commercial.

[lin4gondor.livejournal.com]

Just doing it is really the best way, isn't it? I still find myself procrastinating a bit on some things, but I'm getting places today, because I want to do just that -- not think about it anymore.

[boriel.livejournal.com]

so how far did you get today? :)) i actually cut the grass in the front yard, made lunch for me and hubby and went to costco for two cases of water - yep, i'm back on water finally PTL. my list of doom is dysfunctionaly though :) my bills should be done now, today, this minute...and here i am out flying behind a lawnmower (and i do mean flying...its self propelled, so you hit the extra handle and hang on baby!)

[lin4gondor.livejournal.com]

Well, but you are doing something that needed doing, even if it's not the thing that needs the MOST doing. ;-) I got the dishes done and the kitchen half cleaned up, made lunch and started supper in the crockpot, went to the PO, got my hair cut on a whim (because I was passing the place and my hair needed it), and started gathering stuff for one night of camping tomorrow. I also replied to just about everybody's LJ's today, though I haven't done very well on the emails!

Yay, yay, yay that you can drink water again!!! PTL indeed!!