You Are No Longer A Baby Elephant

ElephantThey say that an elephant learns her place in the world, her limitations, while young. A heavy metal chain is attached to her hind leg so that she does not wander away. Not yet strong enough to break free, the young elephant finds that she can move only as far as the length of chain allows. Eventually, she’ll grow tired of pulling at the chain and stop trying altogether.

Years from now, even a rope tied round her thick strong leg is enough to hold her. The mature elephant has learned the lesson well: it is not possible to break free. Her world is the length of a chain.

Through trials, separations, ill words, or ill treatment, your own childhood may have taught you to behave as the hobbled elephant. You may even have come to believe that everything you have endured is everything you are. You have become your limitations. You have learned the lesson well.

We have come to tell you that your fears and doubts, even your experiences, are not you. The chain around you is a chain—but it is not your chain. And although it may be easier for you to see the goodness in the world beyond your reach than the goodness within you, rest assured that others plainly do see it. At some level of their consciousness, others know that you are stronger than what chains you. Caring individuals, who know it most clearly, gently root for you to be free.

To discover your real strength and goodness is to understand that the lifting up of others is ever greater than the chaining down. To see this, while hobbled, is not the easiest but it is the greatest way. The very moment you decide to never treat another person as you have been treated, the chain quietly falls away.

If you do not realize what has fallen from you, let another tell you what they see. Listen to the wisdom spoken in gentle words or in a kind smile. Then—slowly, slowly, and then more quickly—every breath of your being will tell you that you are free. Free to take your first step.

Elephant image by Aaron Logan. This file is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 1.0 license.

Comments

mudge said…
Stumbled across this post while looking for pictures of elephants. A stunning and life-affirming post. Inspirational. Thanks.
January 27, 2008
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