Elephants are still used in some parts of the world for forestry work. Their training starts when they are very small, tethered with a piece of string tied to a peg in the ground. They are unable to break the string and pull out the peg, so they stop trying. Even when they are full-grown adults they can still be tethered with the same string. These are some of the strings which have held me in my life. You probably have your own.
My First String
When I was little, before school age, my mother stayed at home to look after me as mums did in the 1950s. She ran an efficient household and organised my school-aged brothers, my father, working from home, and of course me. There were strict rules and routines, and I learned to follow them. I decided that always following the rules was a good idea, and challenging authority was a bad idea. Being compliant and not following my own ideas was my first piece of string, and my challenge was to break it by learning to accept the disapproval of others without allowing it to affect my decisions.
Strings at School
When I went to school, I played pick-up soccer with the other children. I was not very sporty and I was always chosen last. I made an early decision that if I was going to shine it would be in the classroom. If I couldn’t be quick I’d be smart. Believing I was physically inept made me avoid sports and activities throughout my life and has probably restricted my health and my social life. That was my second piece of string, and my challenge was to break it by enjoying being active and healthy and to value my body as much as my mind. This string is frayed but still in place!
An Adult String
In my 
twenties, I was afraid to be alone. I formed a major relationship which was safe but limited, and stayed in it too long. I became a schoolteacher, a profession which became safe but unfulfilling, and stayed in it too long. Staying safe was my third piece of string, and I had to break it by learning to accept uncertainty and aloneness.
What Will You Do?
Most of us are like elephants tethered by little bits of string which we could easily break, habits around food, or exercise, or relationships, or work. We are always trying to change. In Star Wars Yoda says Do or do not... there is no try. You can’t try to cut the string, you either cut it or not. Perhaps you are deciding that you will cut the string in the New Year. What do you think?
Your post co-insided with my reading of Chapter 15 in Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. We are tethered by a sting to many things in our lives that don't serve us well. We believe that the string can not be broken. For whatever reason, we never question it. Our fears can be overcome. What you want is waiting for you. sandrabullard11@gmail.com
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