Our beliefs about ourselves, the world and our place in it are usually laid down in childhood. Our inexperienced and vulnerable little selves try to make sense of the things that happen and don’t happen to us. We add meaning to these occurrences and form beliefs which can remain with us for life. They often surface as the messages we give ourselves on a daily basis.
These beliefs can affect the way we live our lives, the choices we make about who we are and what we can achieve, and our feeling about our very worth as human beings. Not all of these beliefs are helpful or empowering. Not all these beliefs are true.
Elephants often begin their training when very young and relatively small. The elephant’s leg is chained to a solid stake in the ground. Because of its size it isn’t strong enough to break the chain or pull the stake out of the ground. For a while it puts frantic effort into snapping the chain and getting free. But what holds it in place is too strong and it remains trapped and helpless to make a difference to its situation. Eventually it gets tired of trying and just gives up.
Once that happens the strong stake can be replaced with a small wooden one and the chain can be replaced with a rope. Because it has been held fast by the solid constraint it now believes that the thin rope and the small post hold it captive and restrict its freedom.
As the elephant grows it could easily remove its shackles. It could simply snap the rope or pull up the stake and walk free. But it doesn’t even try because it is now imprisoned and held fast by its beliefs.
What beliefs are holding you back?
