Letting Go...

I was reminded the other day of how elephants are conditioned. When they are babies they get chained to a tree so they don’t escape. While chained to the tree a baby elephant makes every attempt to break free. After countless attempts the elephant realizes it is not strong enough to escape, it gives up and stops trying. 

At this point it becomes safe to unchain the elephant from the tree. Even as they grow and become these strong magnificent creatures, if they have a chain around their ankle they won’t attempt to escape. Their conditioning leads them to believe they can’t.

I began to think about how similar we are to the elephants. How we let old conditioning from our past influence and sometimes dictate our future.

Think about it ….we start out being conditioned by our family, teachers, friends, society and the media about what we can and can’t do; what we should and shouldn't say; what we should and shouldn’t wear; what we can and can’t achieve. 

We’re often conditioned to take from life what we can get instead of being empowered to go after what we really want.  

I know in my lifetime there are many things that I have had to re-evaluate based on what I was told growing up and what I currently believe to be true for me now. When I was young my parents believed that guys with long hair were essentially trouble. Than I dated a guy in high school that had long hair. He was from a good family, an A student and an athlete! They changed their belief.

I initially believed that when I went through my divorce years ago I failed. I failed based on how society and my religious upbringing defined divorce. I have come to know that I did not fail.

I believe failure is when you let a person or experience take you down and you decide not to get back up. I did get up and am more of who I am today because of my experience. It has been a gift that helped me see myself and my life differently. I changed my belief.

What chains are you wearing that are keeping you tied to old beliefs and conditioning?

What old conditioning from the past influences what you believe is possible for the future? 

Decide what you REALLY want and act with that intention in mind to make it happen. 

Commit to what you really want, not what you think you can get. STRETCH YOURSELF!
Identify the bigger picture for your life and stop holding yourself small. STRETCH YOURSELF!
Be consistent in your efforts and never give up! Continually STRETCH YOURSELF!

2012 is your year. You can do this!

Align yourself with what matters most to you. Live your brand fully expressed with intention and purpose to achieve outstanding results!