Have you heard the story of lions rescued from a burning forest? If not, you are about to listen to this one. This is not just some random story that I wanted to narrate but one that has a deep connection with us, our mindset, and our lives.
These lions were transported from the burning forest to a new place in cages. This new living environment, while (different) was perfect in every sense for the lions. There was plenty of food (prey) and water. Besides, it was a beautiful jungle and seemingly safe.
On reaching this place, the cages were opened. Surprisingly, the lions refused to leave. They retreated to a corner in the cage even though the doors were wide open. The lions growled angrily when volunteers attempted several times to help them walk out of the cage. The lions could have walked out of the cage. But they didn’t?
What could have been worse for these lions than being confined into these cages?
Take a few moments to reflect on this.
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What were the lions thinking or rather feeling?
In his book, “What About the Big Stuff?” Richard Carlson wrote “There is only one thing: his fear of the unknown. He would, literally, rather die in the cage than step into the unknown world”.
This is a near-perfect metaphor. Most of us are like that lion, except that our cages are self-created. One of the most dramatic and sad examples is a battered woman returning to her abusive husband or boyfriend. She knows that staying is pure hell, but leaving is often perceived as so frightening that familiarity is chosen over the unknown. There are hundreds of less severe yet critical applications where fear of the unknown dominates our attitude, mindset and decision making.”
For many, success creates the biggest cage. And the best (or worst) part of it, we simply can’t see it especially when we think we have made it or when we think we are successful (or doing well).
Even though we know that we need to change or that we need to embrace the unknown, we don’t make decisions or act. It all seems so frightening, simply not risking the worth of change. Sometimes, the pain must be unbearable for people to seek help and to act. When the cage is awful but somehow bearable, the familiar cage is represented as being safe…except that it’s not.
Richard added further, “The key to your freedom is to first acknowledge the cage. How can we get out or become free if we don’t even know (or acknowledge) that we are trapped? Yes, it is familiar, but no, it is not safe.”
Taking that leap of faith on the new collaboration or teaming up (with Wealthy Healthy Investments for example) now becomes an opportunity despite your initial thoughts or doubts. You begin to see new possibilities and options that were once invisible.
