The Fight for Congruency

by Christopher Kabamba
(Lusaka, Zambia)

Everything in my life is really up to me

As I was contemplating on what I briefly want to share with you today, I received a quote by Brian Tracy posted on FaceBook, the social networking website. In this posting, Brian Tracy cites the fact that fully 95% of everything we think and feel is habitual and automatic, determined by past behaviors and experiences. As I read this posting, I was reminded of a similar statement made in his wonderful book, Million Dollar Habits which I had a privilege of reading in January 2009.

What this statement means is that fully 95% of our thoughts, feelings and therefore our lives are on Autopilot.

The Wikipedia definition of an autopilot is: a mechanical, electrical, or hydraulic system used to guide a vehicle without assistance from a human being. Relative to the human system, we could say that an autopilot is a mechanism that is guiding our lives without our direct (conscious) assistance. And that is the system that is fully controlling 95% of your thoughts, feelings, actions and therefore your life.

What is controlling your life and the results you are getting is not so much your intellectual conscious thoughts. What is controlling your life are the thoughts that you don?t consciously think about. Your life is controlled by your sub-conscious thoughts. To put it in a language that everyone can easily understand: your life is being directed by your habits. Therefore, even when we talk about the Law of Attraction, the focus is not wishful thoughts. You will not necessarily become your wishful thoughts. The Universe seems to abhor wishful thinking. It is the deep rooted thoughts and beliefs that move the Universe. Therefore, the easiest and most effective way of knowing your beliefs and the deep rooted thoughts which are controlling your life is by observing your actions, your habits. You are what you do. Your habits have brought you to where you are. Most importantly, they are keen on taking you where you are going.

To every Dreamer out there, it is very important that you understand the role habit plays in both success and failure. The secret to success, failure and everything else are your deep rooted thoughts and beliefs. These manifest as Habits. Faith without works is dead. John Dyer is quoted as having said: we first make our habits and then our habits make us. How true. How very true.

Do you know people who claim to know one thing whilst at the same time demonstrating the opposite? I am sure you have. Many times we have found ourselves trapped in this web. It is because of the lack of congruency. It arises because of the variance between what is in the conscious or intellectual mind and what is in our hearts, which is the figure for the sub-conscious mind.

The struggle of life is the struggle for congruency, a state defined as rapport within oneself, or internal and external consistency, perceived by others as sincerity or certainty. Speaking of the Pharisees; Jesus when he walked the face of the earth often remarked: these people honor me with their lips but their hearts are far away from me. Paul experienced this anguish and in a moment of frustration exclaimed: I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do...For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.

Dreamer, as you pursue personal growth and development I encourage you to pursue congruence in all you do. Live congruently. One of the most important goals you should have is the development of Character. With the knowledge that most of your life is directed by your habitual thoughts and actions, proceed to develop habits that are consistent with the person you desire to become. Through right thought, practice and repetition revolutionize your life. Whichever method or technique you use to change your life, there is no substitute for practice. Be a doer of the Word and not just a hearer ? deceiving your-self. To thy own self, be true.

Personal development is NOT a get rich quick scheme. It is Work. There is no substitute for work. And like every other kind of work, it has its challenges and rewards. With the same measure you use, it will be measured unto you.

Don?t be discouraged when things don?t seem to work out. Use the results you get as feedback. Everything is feedback, remember? Change your strategies if you must, but abide by the Law of Life. Be comforted by the fact that you are dealing with a Law that never lies and is never broken but only confirmed. Develop your faith. Have an Iron Fist and Will. Fight the good fight. You have all it takes. There is nothing that can stop you except your-self. God is on your side. Therefore, in the final analysis, everything in your life is really up to YOU.

Here is a challenge for you, Dreamer: Live congruently. May God bless and guide you in this endeavor. Thank you.