The toughest challenge for most is how to make the leap across the great divide separating the State of Desire to the State of “Be”ing.
The gap is a vast ocean of molten lava. It takes more then the courage to put on your asbestos underpants and jump in.
After much intensive study, it appears that a catapult might be the quickest and easiest way to vault the expanse. Picture yourself braced in the rope basket of a monstrous medieval wooden catapult in a Monty Python-esque way. There you are waiting anxiously for the thick rough rope to be severed. Once cut, the tension is released and off you go …. up and over … clear to the other side. It might not be pretty as you are hurled through the air, arms and legs flailing, screaming in horror. Nor will your landing be soft and graceful, but ….SPLAT….. although a little shaken and bruised, you are there … at long last.
I like the image of a catapult (aka “trebuchet”…according to my dear friend, Webster, is a medieval military engine for hurling missiles with great force). It’s release is sudden. The tension is let loose and things happen. Often it seems we need a catapult to force us to make dramatic changes in our lives.
It is a cataclysmic event in our ritualistic lives that calls us to action. Let’s not confuse a catapult with a catalyst. A catalyst implies a chemical reaction that causes change to occur …. bubbling and fizzing …. over a long period of time. A catalyst does facilitate and hasten change from one form to another but for real kick-in-the-ass type change, most people need a catapult.
Modern day catapults exist and are easy to recognize. It could be a job loss, divorce, heart attack or the death of someone dear.. All are life-altering moments that necessitate change in how we live the rest of our lives. Clearly in these examples, life as we knew it ceases to exist.
The truth is, instances are few when we actually have little control on what catapult we will be in and who is cutting the rope. Those situations are easy. Change is going to come, whether or not we know it, like it or want it. The real challenge, and the most common, are those times when we need to climb in the catapult of our own construct and cut the rope ourselves. These are the instances that require the most determination and emotional strength because we alone are responsible for what happens. There is time, maybe too much time, for fear, hesitation and doubt to set in. All are deal breakers if we dwell long enough, so decisive action is needed. Not impulsive or reckless, but thoughtful yet quick. It takes sound, clear thinking to build a fine catapult.
Another truth is that we often blame others, play the victim and fail to take responsibility for the catapult we wind up in. I would submit to the jury, that we are accountable for most of the baskets we claim are out of our control. Take the “has been” in the office. She doesn’t get it but others do and take action. If it happens to you, you have no choice where it takes you and the condition you land depends on how nimble and versatile you are. Most survive with long lasting wounds and some never recover.
The moral of the story? If we do not make a change ourselves, somebody might make it for us. So the trick is to build your own catapult and not be in the position where one is built for you. It seems logical, doesn't it? If you make it happen, you have control, you have choice and you can set the direction on your terms.
If you can’t buy one, build one. I’m sure somewhere on ebay, there’s a catapult with a low number of sieges, few scares from burning oil and touched up arrow gashes. Better yet, get blueprints to make your own.
Here’s a handy site to help: http://howtomakecatapult.shakshino.russia.emoneysolve.com/medievalcatapult/
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