“You do not need to know precisely what is happening, or exactly where it is all going. What you need is to recognize the possibilities and challenges offered by the present moment, and to embrace them with courage, faith and hope.” Thomas Merton
As a man was passing the elephants, he suddenly stopped, confused by the fact that these huge creatures were being held by only a small rope tied to their front leg. No chains, no cages. It was obvious that the elephants could, at anytime, break away from their bonds but for some reason, they did not.
He saw a trainer nearby and asked why these animals just stood there and made no attempt to get away. “Well,” the trainer replied, “When they are very young and much smaller we use the same size rope to tie them and, at that age, it’s enough to hold them. As they grow up, they are conditioned to believe they cannot break away. They believe the rope can still hold them, so they never try to break free.”
The man was amazed. These animals could at any time break free from their bonds but because they believed they couldn’t, they were stuck right where they were.
Often like the elephants, we can go through life hanging onto a belief that we cannot do something, simply because we failed at it once before?
Breaking free from this old belief is our freedom, and when we truly believe “It’s possible” our dreams will manifest.
LIVING IN THIS MOMENT 
Soooooo true! We are what we believe. We can change what we believe……
Exactly Cindy. That is the truth.
The elephants didn’t realize making their excuse a lack of awareness. For people, it is my experience that FEAR OF FAILURE is the primary inhibiting factor. Repeating a painful emotional experience strikes deeply within one’s soul. Like the elephant, however, greater awareness is needed to discover where this fear has come from and the steps needed to remove its hold. This liberates the mind and body and opens doors to unlimited possibilities.
It is fear Jonathan, and it can be very debilitating. Liberating our minds as you say, opens the door to every possibility.
This is wonderful and amazing!
Thankyou Nico. 🙂
Good lesson learned from the story. I also liked the photo of the rock and the man.
Our lessons help us grow into our full potential. Thankyou.
Great photo and so very true post Karen. We need to believe, that we are able to break free and try again.
I agree Irene. When we have the courage to let go, we find our true freedom.
No doubt, Karen, we create our own prisons, and yet we stand with the key in our hands.
This is so true Don. Our hunger to change that, is the unlocking of this prison.
Karen, yes what wonderful insight. We do create our own bonds and we have the power to change that simply by believing in ourselves. I am reading Big Magic right now by Elizabeth Gilbert, it is a great book about this very kind of thing. Thank you. Love the photo as well!
Sounds like a great book, I like Elizabeth Gilbert. The power to change our beliefs is within us all.
Learned helplessness is very powerful. Unlearning it is difficult if one has never known anything different. The brain develops differently in chronic difficult situations in childhood. Many subconscious patterns are also formed. Unlearning these and retraining the brain is possible. Once we know what we want and can dream it, strength comes and helplessness is unlearned. When we pray and vision, we may never know where the help comes from, but it always seems to happen. I love the picture of the man and the rock. We can move mountains. Thank you Karen!
Unlearning these old patterns is a difficult path Mary, but always possible, as you say. I find people say they want freedom from these chains, but don’t want to commit to the work that comes with change. This is always their choice. Thankyou for your wise insights.
I love it when people want to put the time into it and really work. As therapists, we often don’t see how things turned out, so we can only hope. Sometimes we do and it is so fantastic to find out they are living their dream! So great!
I love it too Mary, and I feel so excited for them, because we know this works, and to see others living their dream is a gift!
I love this clear and simple message Karen! Thank you for sharing the story 🙂
It is clear Val, just don’t know if it’s that simple at times!! I am so grateful to know it is “possible” Thankyou.
A charming and powerful simile, for which many thanks. All best wishes to you, Hariod.
Thankyou Hariod, I did enjoy the message in this story. Have a lovely day.
Wow. Bell ringing here!
Good! Don’t wait for the nursing home….. 🙂
Love the lesson here, Karen. I also love your new avatar pic. 😊
Thankyou Jennifer. 🙂 I loved the lesson too.
Very true.
Going through a very difficult time right now. Looking to do some new things to occupy my mind. Will be getting in touch with lots of friends. I am not going to be tethered!
I am sorry to hear you are going through a difficult time Emilie. I am glad you have some support during this time. Take care.
This is a wonderful lesson and so true. It has come at a time when there is something that I have thought doing for many many years and was always so afraid to begin. It has inspired me to give it another go. Thank you.
Elizabeth you are such an inspiration. Each time you are faced with a challenge in your life, you rise to the occasion and work through it. I admire and honour that quality in you.
Thankyou!
Ready to break that rope!
Yay, go for it! You won’t regret it. 🙂
Amazing blog post:-)
Thankyou Isabella.
You are more than welcome:-)
Slowly loosening my rope Karen sometimes it feels better and safer not to try.
At times, it does feel easier to stay where we are, but you and I know, that’s not why we are here! There are so many reasons to step out and be free! Have a lovely day Kath.
Indeed
🙂
And breaking free is our journey Karen. Written with much wisdom my friend.
Great share, thank you 🙂
Thankyou Mark, nice to hear from you. Let’s enjoy this freedom. 🙂
I love the Merton quote you use in the beginning- just read that last week and held onto it. A beautiful reminder too – the elephants- and very apt for where I’m at right now. Thanks for sharing it.
It’s interesting how the same message can keep coming to us when we need it. I hope you find that deep freedom Jac, you deserve it.