Quotable: Commitment and Doubt
The relationship between commitment and doubt is by no means an antagonistic one. Commitment is healthiest when it is not without doubt but in spite of doubt.
When one considers commitment, what images spring to mind? A romantic may picture a lasting embrace, whereas a sarcastic type might picture a ball and chain. Images most often associated with commitment are solid, immovable objects, intended to be impregnable. By definition, commitments are trustworthy. However, when a flawed person launches into a committed relationship with another equally fallible person, the agreement is only as strong as the two individuals can be. According to Rollo May, American existential psychologist and author, this type of commitment is at its best in the face of uncertainty.
May assumes that there is a relationship between commitment and doubt, so the two entities do not operate independently of each other. One might initially believe that a strong commitment does not include uncertainty. If a person is really sure about something or someone, there appears to be no room for doubt. The relationship, upon initial consideration, would be mutual exclusivity. Instead, May claims that the two concepts work together; doubt is an indicator of a healthy commitment. Striving to maintain strong dedication in the face of uncertainty - rather than the absence of it - builds an even stronger foundation for the future.
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