In the book Winning by Letting Go, Elizabeth Brenner tells how people in rural India catch monkeys.
First they cut a hole in a box and anchor the box to the ground; then they put a tasty “sweet nut” in the box; and then they go hide in the bushes. Soon the monkey comes down from the forest canopy and reaches through the hole into the box to grab the tasty prize.
Unfortunately, the hole in the box is just big enough for the monkey to put its hand through; with the nut in hand, its fist is too big to withdraw.
First they cut a hole in a box and anchor the box to the ground; then they put a tasty “sweet nut” in the box; and then they go hide in the bushes. Soon the monkey comes down from the forest canopy and reaches through the hole into the box to grab the tasty prize.
Unfortunately, the hole in the box is just big enough for the monkey to put its hand through; with the nut in hand, its fist is too big to withdraw.
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That is when the trapper emerges from the bushes, leaving the monkey with two choices:
Release the nut and go free, or hold on to it and get caught. Most of the time monkeys elect to hold on to the nut. |
And so often, life is like that. We can choose to end our pain and suffering by simply letting go and freeing ourselves. But instead, we hold on to emotions such as anger, fear, sadness and guilt, we hold onto past circumstances and the pains they caused, holding on to the "wrongs" that have been done "to us".
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Most know the story of Nelson Mandela, in short, he was arrested for treason and imprisoned for advocating nonviolent resistance to apartheid (South Africa’s institutionalised system of white supremacy and racial segregation). The conditions were harsh with torture, forced manual labour in the South African sun without even so much a pair of shoes, solitary confinement and a cell without a bed or plumbing. Imagine that for a moment. Or perhaps consider being restricted contact with those you love. Mandela had barely any communication with the outside world (a letter every 6 months and a 30 minute visit every 365 days).
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On Sunday 11th February 1990, after 27 years of imprisonment, Nelson Mandela walked towards the prison gates. He says he had to decide between forgiving and letting go or "forever being a prisoner in his own mind"
And you too have a decision to make. Do you want to keep holding on and stay stuck, being a prisoner in your own mind. Or do you choose to let go and be set free?
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Ready to let go?
Download the worksheet. |
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If you need help to let go, message me and we can book in a FREE Strategy Session to help you figure out what you need to be finally be free from the shackles.