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Tin Cans

During my recent retreat our teachers talked with us about old, limiting beliefs and how we tended to drag them around behind us like a string of old rusty tin cans.

They then dumped a bunch of tin cans in the middle of our circle and gave each of a length of twine and four of the cans, each with a hold punched in the middle.

Our assignment was to spend the afternoon on our own, looking enthusiastically for beliefs that kept us separate and held us back. For the duration of the afternoon, we were to drag the tin cans behind us, tied to one ankle with twine.

Now, I‘ve done a fair amount of personal work and I really do KNOW that limiting beliefs hold me back.

However THIS afternoon, I was quite inspired by the power of metaphor and the way in which making something tangible really brings it home.

What limiting beliefs can you discard?

What limiting beliefs can you discard?

As the afternoon progressed, it became completely clear to me how foolish it was to cling to these old beliefs. I saw how much they held me back from going where I wanted to go and how much time and energy the drained from me.

My twine kept breaking, necessitating all manner of creative repair work, which solidly brought home how much time and energy I spend caring for and maintaining these beliefs. The afternoon was hilarious and tragic at the same time.

At the end of the assignment, I was quite ready to let go of several of the beliefs that keep me feeling separate from the magic and power of life.

We all have these kinds of beliefs that we drag around after us like rattling old tin cans and we all spend all manner of time validating, justifying and caring for these beliefs. What‘s a rusty tin can you have been dragging around behind you? Are you ready to cut the twine and let it go?
KKH

  • elenesstraumsheim
    Every now and then we all need to clean out our "closets" and take inventory - what needs to be thrown away and what needs a dry clean! Spring is a great time for a fresh start - also when it comes to our own interior!
  • gonanpremfors
    Thanks Karen just another reminder of what I had to work on last month in order to be able to bend some spoons and forks.
  • Karen, your post is so timely. I'm getting really clear about my limiting beliefs, especially the ones that I drag around professionally. I am really struck in letting this one go. It's a biggie, and I keep thinking, "I'm done with that!" And here it is again. Again! Arghhh!
  • cynthialoydarst
    What a wonderful structure and exercise! Nothing like experiential learning, eh? I might have to go find a can....
  • moyraweston
    Thanks for this - I can really relate. Like you I'm aware of many of my have limiting beliefs (possible there are still undiscovered ones). It is getting to a decision AND action that stops us repairing those strings and helping to maintain them - that is really where my work is! Thanks for sharing this powerful metaphor - I'm going to focus on the strings, to really let the beliefs join the scrap heap.
  • jennet
    Just the image opens up a can of worms (or a can of snakes that spring out and gets your heart pumping and making you feel quite silly to be duped!). I can picture everyone at work dragging their own rusty tin cans behind them. What a simple, yet powerful way to illustrate the stuff that we keep dragging along in our lives. Maybe I'm just hoping that if I keep dragging enough, the string will rot and break off. Alas, some strings are like cable and you can drag a lifetime, but the cable never breaks. Give me a chainsaw, I'm starting to cut through!
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