Where there is a Will there is a Way

Will is a power that can move even mountains. In simple words we may call it determination. The proverb which forms the subject of this essay, emphasis’s the importance of will or determination. It means that a man of determination can do what he likes. By the power of will he can have his way in everything. Ifs and buts are the mutterings of weakness, for all difficulties vanish when confronted with will-force, as do thieves when boldly faced. Even a cursory study of the history of human civilization tells us that all great things have always been achieved by men of will. Great men become great because from childhood onward they had willed to be great. The notable achievements of science, art and literature are all the result of endeavors of men of will who worked against heavy odds to achieve their goals. A few examples would suffice to drive the point home. Columbus could discover America only because he stood firm lode rock against all the storms of difficulties that threatened him. Nothing could deter him from the path that he had chosen for himself. Mr. nd Madam Curie could discover Radium- a great boon to humanity-only because they were persons of will, prepared to lay down even their lives in the pursuit of their ideal. Great conquerors, like Napoleon or Hitler, were all men of determination whose will force carried everything before it. Coming nearer home, we get the inspiring example of Hillary and Tenzing whom, not even all the dangers of high altitudes could weaken in their resolve to reach the top of Everest. Urged by immense will-force, Gandhiji demonstrated to the conclusively showed that it is will that counts and not the physical might. While men of will can have their way in all things, those of weak will can do nothing. Like the water reed they are blown this way and that way by every passing wind. They are distracted from their aims by every obstacle that comes in their way. A drunkard resolves in the morning never to drink again, but by the evening we find him in this cups, A student determines to read at least six hours every day, but then, there appears a friend, an acquaintance, and the resolve of a moment before is forgotten and they day their will power or have never tried to cultivate it. There is nothing wrong with them except that they lack in singleness of purpose-in that perseverance which Carlyle considered being another name of genius. Not only good things but bad things as well can be achieved only through will power. A thief can steal and robber can fob only if they have determined to do so and haves sufficient will power for the purposes. They can have heir way only if they are endowed with enough force of will, otherwise the least noise will frighten them and they will take to their heels with their never be able to commit the deed. But sill power should be applied only to doing good things. If it is used to achieve evil, the forces, of good within us would certainly weaken and stultify it. This force, through which we can have our way in all things and which opens out immense possibilities for us, should be cultivated systematically all through life. In the first instance the objectives we place before us should be easy of achievement and we should make every effort to to achieve it and must not be deflected from out path by any suggestion. Then we should concentrate our attention on higher objectives, which can then be developed further by being devoted to aims, noble and good. To sum up: Will is a great force both for good and evil. It makes impossible things possible. The story of man’s progress from chaos to order, from barbarism to civilization, is nothing but a story of his will power pitted against all the hostile forces of nature. This will power can be achieved by ably one of us by continuous process of concentration on noble objectives. Once acquired, it will enable us to have our way in all things.

Cite this page