GUEST BY JOHN NGATIA | Success and Circumstances
“People are always blaming circumstances for what they are. I do not believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they cannot find them, they make them”. George Bernard Shaw
It is true when we have financial abundance we can be more impactful in society. We can help lots of people when we have an abundance of financial resources. We also do have more choices as a result of being financially abundant, not to mention the peace of mind that comes with it. If you are like most of the population, then you will agree with me that most of us were not fortunate in our formative years to have someone teach us how to create wealth. When you look at the demographics of any society around the world, it is fair to say that most of us were brought up in environments that cannot be deemed financially abundant nor truly aware of how to create wealth. It is also a known fact that the environment that we grow up in and the books that we read determine to a very large extent who we become. We have all heard the old adage “birds of a feather flock together”. So if we have to change our financial status then we must educate ourselves and adopt the mentality that wealthy people have.
Years ago I learnt that if I desire to have, be or do something, then it is very prudent and important that I look for the person who has achieved what I want to be, do or have and find out from them what they did to get it. If I follow the same formula that they used, then I am bound to get the same results.
It is what I call “Role Modelling”.
I would imagine you got a dream. You have got a beautiful picture that runs around your mind every now and then of the way you would like to live, what you would like to be , some of the things you would like to have. To get the best out of life you must completely ignore what you have, if what you have is not what you want. Completely ignore the present results that you are achieving in your life.
Throughout the ages “Winners” and “Philosophers” have referred to a place within each of us called the higher self, that place where an image of perfection exists that is continually attempting to express itself. It’s your higher Self that causes you to want to do better, to move in the direction of your dreams. It’s your old conditioning and the old image that is holding you back. This higher self persistently sends stimulating and upbeat messages to our consciousness, messages that are meant to protect our integrity and wholeness as creative beings. Messages coming from the heart always have a complete disregard for the facts or surrounding circumstances in our lives. What was, was and what will be is up to you.
Unfortunately 99% of people misread the signals they are constantly receiving. Rather than viewing these images with their inner eye of understanding and seeing them as truly unique pictures that are packed with power, possibility and promise, these images are considered idle wishes, ridiculous fantasies or day dreams. And it’s because they are so far out of tune with their present reality, their present results. Remember Patricia Shambrook, she said, ” Don’t give me the facts give me the truth”. The facts are always changing. The truth is that you have deep reservoirs of talent and ability within you.
You have got the potential within you to do anything you want to do.
“Everything can be taken from a person but one thing: the last of human freedoms-to choose one’s attitude in any given circumstances…to choose one’s own way” said Viktor Frankl. Viktor Frankl the phenomenal author of the all-time classic “Man’s Search For Meaning” was a great Viennese Psychiatrist who endured years of unspeakable horror in the Nazi death camps.
Regardless of the circumstances you can choose your own way in life. When people who struggle day in day out day in day out, what is happening is that they permit their mind to be dominated by their current results…the facts….the lack…the limitation….the poverty that is reflected in their present RESULTS. They know why they can’t win. It’s obvious to them and they prove it. The facts win over and over again. In other words the persons present results are in control of their thinking. If this is a description of your way of life, release it, let it go.
Clearly understanding that regardless of your present situation in life, wanting to win, to be successful, to dream of living in luxury, is not foolish or ridiculous. It is as natural as day follows night. You are meant to have and enjoy every good that life can offer. You are God’s greatest creation. If your life is not a magnificent adventure, it is because of errors either yours or those made by authority figures in your life. The errors consisting of ideas or concepts or concept about your potential as a person that have been lodged in your subconscious mind. We are the products of someone else’s way of thinking. Keep in mind that our mind was programmed by someone who knew very little about our potential and we certainly didn’t have any ability to reject these ideas. We were infants. Collectively these ideas cause you to form an image of yourself in your mind. Most likely it is this mental programming that is restricting your success. The only way to progress is through study, acquiring knowledge and then implementing and putting that knowledge to work so that you change your life for the better. I have often said that the only problem that humanity has is that of ignorance. We only overcome ignorance through study and acquiring knowledge.
The truth my friends, is that every one of us is where we are in life as a results of the decision made in the past. And what transpires in the future will be based on decisions we make today. Let me conclude by saying, “If your current circumstances are not what you want, do not let them dictate how and what you think rather make the decision to create the circumstances you desire”.
It is important to not only acquire knowledge but to apply it.
Make the right decisions that will propel you towards the life that you truly desire to live.
Live with passion, stay on purpose, and always be at peace.
John Ngatia