It's called Mindset

As I was passing by the elephants, I suddenly stopped, confused by the fact that these huge creatures were being held by only a small rope tied to their front leg.

No chains, no cages. It was obvious that the elephants could, at anytime, break away from the ropes they were tied to but for some reason, they did not. I saw a trainer nearby and asked why these beautiful, magnificent animals just stood there and made no attempt to get away.
    
"Well," he said, "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. As they grow up, they are conditioned to believe they cannot break away. They believe the rope can still hold them, so they never try to break free.

"I was amazed. These animals could at any time break free from their bonds but because they believed they couldn't, they were stuck right where they were.
    
Like the elephants, how many of us go through life hanging onto a belief that we cannot do something, simply because we failed at it once before? 

Wise say, “Your attempt may fail, but never fail to make an attempt.”

Comments

mg said…
100% right.
It is mind-set that decides our destiny.
If we think that we can't go beyond certain point, our life is limited to that level.
Beautiful narration. You showed that big lesson can be taught with few lines.
Soumya said…
Interesting bit about taming elephants...
Totally agree with your last line :)
Nanda Kishor B said…
Mahesh bhava and Soumyatte, Thanks :)
Unknown said…
Very true. Similar elephants, we are also conditioned by the society around us to dream small. They always say dream within your means. We never try to dream big or strive to achieve them. Even though we have potential to do wonders we never try. All it takes for each one of us is a small try to break free from the small rope to get to our dreams. Big dreams.
Nanda Kishor B said…
True sir :) Rightly understood and said :) Thank you for the reply.