I recently participated in a ropes course activity called “Swing and a Prayer.” (who wouldn't sign up for it, with a name like that?!)
With the support of your team, you are hoisted up into the air while attached to a cable. You hold tightly onto a rope that keeps you attached to the cable - so you're just sitting there, 35 feet in the air. At the “Let Go!” shout from the instructor, you release the rope and go FLYING through the air back and forth on the cable.
The intended symbolism was about letting go of what no longer serves you. However, for me, it felt a little different. No part of me wanted to continue holding on to that rope. It was physically harder for me to keep hanging on, than it was to let go.
It reminded me of a story I heard on a podcast years ago that stopped me in my tracks (I swear it was a Brene’ Brown episode, but I can’t find it anywhere). In it, the interviewee talks of making this huge leap in her career, having no idea where she would land, or how it would turn out. The illustration she used was swinging on a trapeze and having to release her hold on the bar in order to reach out into the darkness and grab the next one – not knowing if it would be within her reach. Brene’ asks if that was scary for her, and her response is what took my breath away: She said that continuing to hang on was scarier to her than letting go.
A great reminder that trusting in ourselves and embracing uncertainty is where growth and transformation happens. Consider:
What are you holding onto?
What is keeping you tethered, when you are meant to fly?
What will you let go of?
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