As a child on the playground, I always loved playing on the monkey bars. The feeling of swinging from one rung to the next with ease and agility was exhilarating. Recently, while talking with a client, I realized that life is like swinging across monkey bars – each rung representing a different milestone or goal we are striving for. And just as in the playground, there are moments when we successfully swing from one rung to the next without any troubles, feeling confident and capable. But there are also times when we slip, our grasp loosens, and we find ourselves hanging precariously in mid-air.
We start off with both hands gripping tightly onto the first bar, unsure of how to reach the next one that seems so far away. We may kick our legs or swing back and forth to gather enough momentum to propel us forward. If we’re lucky, there may be an older child on the playground who can show us how it’s done, and our parents are there to catch us if we fall, providing us with a sense of safety and support. They stand by us, encouraging our successes and cheering us on.
The scariest part is counterintuitive – to move forward, we must let go and trust ourselves to grab onto the next rung. One hand reaching back for stability while the other reaches forward towards progress. It can feel like we’re stuck in one spot, swinging back and forth until we finally let go of the past and reach for what’s ahead. Sometimes it takes a few tries before we finally get a firm grip on the next rung.
It’s true that in order to move forward in life, we must let go of the things holding us back – negative beliefs, unhelpful thoughts, past hurts and wounds. But often, the fear of letting go is paralyzing. Perhaps you didn’t have someone there to help guide you through this journey across the monkey bars. Maybe you felt alone on the playground, struggling to find your way.
But here’s the thing – we are all born with the innate ability to successfully make it across that horizontal ladder. The path may look different for each of us, some may seem more graceful while others struggle and fall often before reaching their goal. But we must remember that we are not alone. Along the way, we will encounter helpers – friends, partners, therapists, coaches, and others who can support us, teach us new techniques, and pick us up when we fall. None of us can make it across alone.
So don’t be afraid to let go in order to move forward. Release those bars behind you, they served their purpose for a time but now they’re holding you back from reaching your end goal. Seek out help and guidance along the way and trust in yourself to grab onto the next bar.
You can do it – let go and swing towards progress with confidence and determination.
A New Tomorrow Therapy 