"I am not bound to win
but I am bound to be true.
I am not bound to succeed
but I am bound to live up to
what light I have"
By Abraham Lincoln.
In his deeply insightful allegorical tale, 'The Laws of Spirit' author Dan Millman initiates the chapter on 'Integrity...Living Our Truth' with the above statement by Abraham Lincoln. In this section Millman explores how humans live outside their true being. And how at odds this artifice remains within the norms of nature.
"Unlike the creatures of the natural world, humans are surrounded by social artifice, cut off from their own true natures." (The Laws of Spirit by Dan Millman)
Can you imagine how incongruous it would be if our dogs insisted on meowing like cats and our cats fancied barking like dogs? What if birds neglected the glory of flight and chose to hop around on twig legs instead? Or if the sun decided that darkness was more comfortable than the brilliance of light? What if fish determined that being submerged by all that water was simply stifling?
Totally reprehensible? Absolutely!
So is Incongruity.
Living in Congruity
Requires that I simply strive
To Be Only Exactly Who I am.
photo courtesy of robbie jim's photostream
Copyright 2008 Audu Real Estate All Rights Reserved
This post is a part of the What It Means Series...
Lola Audu, is the Designated Broker & Owner of Audu Real Estate. Our company specializes in helping people buy and sell homes in the greater Grand Rapids, West Michigan area. You can contact us via e-mail @ info@auduhomes.com or by phone at 616-791-0511. Thanks for visiting our blog. Here are links to some of our most popular posts for you to enjoy!
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Lola, I always call this being congruent "alignment." We have to know what we value first and then align ourselves with that. It takes reflection for sure, but leading a congruent life is being true to yourself. I love the quotes of Abraham Lincoln by the way.
Knowing that you are doing the absolute best and being a positive person that contributes to society is what we need more people to do
Gary, the quote by Abraham Lincoln is profound. It embraces our personal responsibility but it does so within the context of grace...'according to the light we have.' Taking the time to understand our own personal values is not easy. Sometimes, the person who is the most fooled is...ourselves regarding what we truly believe. Thanks for sharing your insights and stopping by.
Hi Russ, Totally agree. When we do our best, we tend to feel better as well...as long as we don't look over and compare ourselves to other people. :)
Lola,
And we must 'fashion' ourselves to be the best I am' we can!!!
Lola living as who we are and being true to it is not easy, because others don't always approve and most human beings desire and want approval.
I am who I am and some times it is difficult to be true to your self but it is always rewarding to do so.
That flower is spectacular! What is that? And I've never heard that quote by Lincoln before. I like it.
The overall feel of your post reminds me of the scripture about good trees not being able to bear bad fruit, and bad trees not being able to bear good fruit ;)
Lola,
Thanks for the post. How apropos, now and always....be true to yourself. The rest will follow!
Abe Lincoln was indeed a wise man. His philosophy is within reach and inspiring at the same time.
kk
Lola- I enjoyed reading this and your comments. I am not sure if this is saying be only what you are, and nothing different....but that's what I got from it. Interesting....
Ouch George...the approval thing is a big deal isn't it. It's probably the hardest thing about becoming emotionally mature.
Terry...You know, I think that being other than ones self is actually harder work. Being ones self can sometimes be scarier though. :)
Fran...Yes!
Lisa...great insight and helpful tie-in. Thank you.
William...so nice to see you back! Thanks for stopping by to read and leave a comment.
Kristal...I continue to be amazed at Abe Lincoln's life and insight. He was truly a national treasure.
Kathy, That's pretty much it.
Wonderful Lola. Your statement, '...humans live outside their true being', is so correct. In many ways we've become disconnected from our natural instincts, with intellect over-riding normal natural signals that don't 'fit' or even 'exist' unless we can see, touch, prove.......
a blessed new year
Hi Deboarah, Thanks for stopping by to re-visit this blog. Blessings for a wonderful year for you too!