Good Swords and Stout Hearts

Hernan Cortes's conquest of the Aztec Empire in Mexico illustrates an interesting approach to strategic commitment. When he landed in Mexico in 1518, Cortes ordered his men to burn all but one of his ships. This seemingly suicidal act was in fact a move that was purposeful and calculated. By eliminating their only method of retreat, Cortes forced his men to fight even harder to win. He forced them to commit. Survival was now contingent on one thing: victory.

According to Bernal Diaz del Castillo, who chronicled Cortes's conquest of the Aztecs, "Cortes said that we could look for no help or assistance except from God for we now had no ships in which to return to Cuba. Therefore we must rely on our own good swords and stout hearts."

Some folks might view this event in history as just another absurd conquest for capital gain, religious indulgence, and mass genocide. However, the story provides an illustration for the theme of this post: commitment.

Commitment is an intriguing concept when the stars align and everything is mapped out. When I's are dotted, and T's are crossed. However, commitment takes on a new, overwhelming form when lives are hanging in the balance. Especially when the lives at stake are our own. My life. Your life. My family. Your family. We're forced to commit. Survival is now contingent on one thing:___________. This one thing is void of everything safe, yet it is necessary for survival. Can we commit when there is...?

No retreat. No exit. No safety net. No training wheels. No savings account. No medicare. No medicaid. No 401k. No defined benefit plan. No economic development. No jobs. No follow-through from Washington. No excess. No heat. No air conditioning. No food. No water. No clothing. No gas in the tank. No end to the bills.

To be continued.