Trending post
Elyssa Duncan
Community SpecialistBullet point
Follow
Community Specialist

Have you ever heard the inspirational story "The Elephant Rope"?

For those of you who haven't, I'd like to share it for today's #MotivationalMonday.

A gentleman was walking through an elephant camp and noticed they weren't kept in cages or held by strong chains. All that was restraining these gigantic creatures was a small piece of rope tied to one of their legs.

The man questioned why the elephants didn't just use their strength to break the rope and escape. Curious, he asked a trainer.

The trainer replied: "When they are very young and much smaller, we use the same size rope to tie them and, at that age, it's enough to hold them. After a few failed attempts to break free in their youth, the elephant stops trying and never tests the rope again. They believe the rope can still hold them."


We have these "ropes" in our everyday life. The false belief and assumption that we cannot achieve something restricts our potential and success. The testing of our limits and belief that you can be successful is the most critical step to actually achieving your goals!

What are your thoughts?

122
56 Comments
about 5 years ago
Like
Comment
Share
susan A
Bullet point
Follow

I understand you are using the story to strike a point but the story reigns true to me it isn't as cruel as most things done to elephants in the name of "entertainment " or for whatever reason deemed humanly necessary so that's why I reacted

5y
Like
Reply
Jennifer Sells
Bullet point
Follow
Staff Nurse at Northside Hospital

It's just a metaphor, person.

5y
Like
Reply
2
susan A
Bullet point
Follow

I see what you're saying but I hate the abuse of animals so I guess I wish it was a different subject matter

5y
Like
Reply
1
See all replies
Debra Ethan
Bullet point
Follow
Writing Services Business Owner

I believe that we do become what we believe about ourselves. I think this writing is excellent because it makes us aware we are our own belief system. Ashley Wilson's comment underscores this. I've been wanting to grow the small LLC I have. I can see that I need to start believing I can grow it. Thank you, Elyssa, for this eye opener.

5y
Like
Reply
5
See all replies
edward reyes
Bullet point
Follow
Summer Camp Assistant at Parks And Recreation

i am committed to a job and dependable

5y
Like
Reply
Ellen Arsenault
Bullet point
Follow
Stop Loss Underwriting Support at Sunlife Financial

Great story. Thank you!

5y
Like
Reply
LAUREN HARLEY
Bullet point
Follow
Payroll A P at Hyde Park Health

Key words here: Limit and Belief

Sometimes we limit ourselves because we dont believe in who we are so we stayed tied, bound and restricted never going anywhere in life.

Just like this elephant pictured here.

5y
Like
Reply
2
Josie Floran
Bullet point
Follow

The story of the elephants makes sense. Since a child, we’ve been conditioned or made to believe that we would never amount to anything in life, instead of daring us to go outside the box. On the other hand, sometimes it’s best to go with the flow, and not against the waves. That works great for me all the times. If I don’t like something, and think it’s going to affect someone, I bite my tongue, and go yes ma’am or yes sir.

5y
Like
Reply
1
See all replies
Jessica Mitchell
Bullet point
Follow
Sales Representative

This is actually a great post and very relatable!

5y
Like
Reply
4
See all replies
Alanya Freeman
Bullet point
Follow
Sweet Al Freeman ~Professional Barrel Racer~

Well put!

5y
Like
Reply
1
See all replies
See more comments
Add