String Theory

In parts of Asia where Elephants are used as beasts of burden, the trainers have developed a cunning plan that enables them to control the animals and keep them exactly where they want them.

It is so cunning in fact that it would be worthy of a Fox writing his final dissertation for his BSc in Cunningness at the University of Cunning – thanks Black Adder…

When Elephants are young and being trained, their keeper will tie one of their legs to a tree using thick rope. The Elephant objects and tries to pull away, but eventually learns that she cannot break the rope or pull the tree over.

Eventually, the Elephant gives in and becomes compliant – having learned that the tether she is restrained by cannot be broken. When she has learned this lesson, the keeper has the Elephant subdued and in one place by simply tying a piece of string to a sapling; whilst the Elephant has all the potential to snap the string or rip out the sapling by its roots, it doesn’t - not becasue she can't but because she has been given the belief that she can't...

The Elephant has been conditioned, regardless of her physical strength or ability, to remain tethered, under the control of others through the use of a simple piece of string. 

We know that she could easily break free, but she doesn’t believe that she can so, she remains captive – even though freedom is just one easy pull away.

The question is – what strings are limiting you, what beliefs, fears or learned behaviours are synthetically restricting your freedom to be happy, successful and fulfilled..?

As with the Elephants, we sometimes learn to be constrained, and allow ourselves to fall into a pattern of behaviour that we believe is teh only one available to us.

In reality of course, the strings that we allow to bind us are easily broken, it just requires us to make a simple decision, saying yes to an opportunity rather than “think about it...” choosing to move away from people and situations that don’t serve us; or deciding that we simply deserve better…

So as it comes to the end of the year – consider what strings you would like to break for 2013. What decisions will you make, and what action will you take - it is so much easier than you think...