Inspiration
Being In A Committed Relationship With Yourself
I recently saw an interesting statistic from Harvard University social psychologist Daniel Gilbert. Several of his studies show that when there’s no other choice available to us, we’re prone to synthesize happiness. We subconsciously become happier with the situation since it’s our only option. However, when the option to change our choice is available, on some level we become less content with our situation.
I define committed as wholeheartedly dedicated to doing or being something. As i see it, once you commit to something, the only option is to do it. There’s no choice! Counter-intuitively, as proven by Gilbert’s research, having no option – where you can’t change your mind – seems to make us happier.
Last week i asked myself what i was committed to.
Here’s what i came up with:
- Living an extraordinary life
- Inspiring 8 million people
- Growing an exquisite lifestyle through Sensophy
- Being the best in the world at…? (not sure yet)
- Having fulfilling relationships (both romantic + platonic)
Did you know that,
in 1879,Thomas Edison committed to having an electric light-bulb by the last day of the year? This was despite the fact that all of his previous attempts had failed. On December 31st, 1879, there was light!
Or how about John F. Kennedy? In 1962, he declared to the world that the USA would have a man on the moon by the end of the decade. This was despite the fact that some of the metals needed to complete the journey hadn’t even been invented yet. Ask Neil Armstrong if he remembers what happened on July 20, 1969!
There’s and ineffable force that comes from taking your things, putting them in your knapsack, and then throwing them as far over the fence as humanly possible.
William Murray may have said it best here:
“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 dreamt would have come his way. I learned a deep respect for one of Goethe’s couplets: ‘Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it’”
I told you what i’m committed to – now i ask you…
WHAT ARE YOU COMMITTED TO?!
25 Responses to Being In A Committed Relationship With Yourself
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Hahaha Tom – thank you for all the thank yous! Beautiful perspective – appreciate the share dude!! -=)
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EmbraceTheJoy says:
It's funny…so often we are commited to things like making excuses why we can't do something. Change your mind…
Committed…what am I committed to…Well, making it on my own as a single mom…definetly.. Being more authentic…being honest not only with myself, but with my kids, my friends and my future partner.
Next will be making the committment to finding a better paying job that fits my lifestyle!
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I 100% agree. Here is my favorite quote about commitment "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 as rational hesitation. To commit is to remove your head as a barrier to your life." -Anne Morriss
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Kim..I am stealing that one. I have one friend in particular needs to hear it…
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Gotta love your passion Jacob…
I also have committed myself to living an extraordinary life. By extraordinary, I don't mean changing the world or reinventing the Internet. What it means to me is spending my time how I choose. What makes it out of the ordinary is that very few people actually get to do that.Just imagine how great your life could be and what you could accomplish if you created a lifestyle that afforded you the time to do that.
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lori says:
Me too Steve! I couldn't say it better than that! Well put!
Lori -
Love it Steve! A little disappointed that you're not going to reinvent the internet tho. Looking fwd to what's coming from your way.
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Hey, Jacob. It's good to hear from you again. I'm committed to making my dreams of being a full-time musician/songwriter a reality. I hope to travel the world and make a difference telling stories through song. Thanks for keeping it real, man!
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Lynne says:
Right now I'm committed to filling my life with those people & things/places that are positive to me on my journey & in my process & To removing those things from my life that restrict me from growing, learning, sharing, being. I need to be nourished in so many ways & I just haven't been 'feeding' myself, my mind, body & spirit with the right goodness that I require. I take responsibility for those errors, they have been my learning curves. I re-commit to me in my life on my pathway. x
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Dina says:
I'm committed to helping to change the world environmentally and when it comes to tolerance/peace issues. (waiting on publishing rights to a song for that website i told you about!–once I have that, it'll be all set to go!). I'm also committed to NOT going back to that school in Sept. I'm committed to traveling this summer. I'm committed to surrounding myself with people who are like-minded in a place that reeks of natural beauty and zen. And I have to steal your fulfilling relationships one as well.
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I am committed to being happy! and spreading that happiness.
I am committed to making a positive contribution on a daily basis….. in what ever I do. (it is about cultivating mindfulness, and awareness).
I am committed to being the best I can be and growing consistently to meet needs in the erver changing world I live in.
I am committed to love…of myself, and all those who cross my path.-
I can see and feel all of that from you! Stoked to continue to connect with you homegirl!! -=)
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Jacob, this come right on time :)
I'm actually committed to (and have it on my to-do list, as header) writing 50 viral blog posts for projects and for my clients by end of 2011. This requires I craft one post a week.
Thanks for your commitment to this post. Thanks to your commitment to your goals. Thanks for your commitment to commitment and encouraging others to "get" "committed" to themselves. If you're an adult and you're not committed to what you are doing in ANY moment during your day, why are your doing it? If one really wants to learn how to be committed to him or herself, he/she needs to learn how to be committed to ALL his/her action choices during the day. That's the incremental & developmental way to learn how to "be in a committed relationship" with oneself. When is it not in your best interest to be committed to what you are doing??? That's the goal in my book — to get that committed to your life and what you are doing each moment.