18 Feb 2008 04:53:04 | Damien Senn
Have you ever stopped to think about how you might catch
yourself a monkey?
Well, it's simple really, even for the monkey trapping novice.
Here's what you need to do….
Step 1: Go to where monkeys hang out.
Step 2: Put a stack of peanuts in a small jar tied to a rope.
Step 3: Go hide in the bushes (holding the other end of the
rope).
Step 4: Watch the monkey jump from the tree to stuff it's fist
into the jar to grab the nuts.
Step 5: Walk slowly towards the monkey.
Step 6: Watch the monkey's hand get trapped in the jar because
it won't let the peanuts go.
Step 7: Catch the monkey!
Now before you start laughing about how these primates have been
beaten with the wrong end of the evolutionary stick, take a few
moments to consider the things that you are currently 'holding
on to' that no longer make sense.
What are you holding on to emotionally?
One of the great challenges of being human is letting go of the
emotions that no longer serve you in a positive way.
All of us have experienced emotional hurt at some stage in our
lives. It's a very natural part of our existence and completely
necessary to deepen our experience of the world. But are your
past pains holding you back from your present and future
happiness?
Does it continue to make sense for you to 'hold on to' any
feelings of betrayal, anger, resentment, frustration or
emotional upset? What would happen to you if you just started to
let go of your 'emotional peanuts'. What relationships would you
heal? Who could you finally forgive?
Or maybe the person you really need to forgive is yourself. What
impact would unconditionally forgiving yourself for all your
mishaps have upon your life? Do you think it might be worth
giving it a try?
And what about your material possessions?
Take a good look around at all the material possessions that you
own. What are you holding on to that you no longer need? Do you
have books on your shelf that you will you never read again?
What about inside your wardrobe? Are there any items of clothing
or footwear that you haven't worn in the last 12 months. Are you
seriously ever going to wear them again? I mean come on, really?!
My own experience of letting go.
I've recently gone through an exercise of giving away all the
books, clothes, and knick knacks that I could no longer put to
good use. I found the whole experience to be incredibly
liberating. I now also have the added benefit of having the
necessary cupboard and shelf space for new things to flow into
my life.
As a part of my letting go process I also mysteriously stumbled
across a misplaced envelope stuffed with cash and a couple of
un-banked of cheques. What will you find by just letting go?
What will letting go mean for you?
Open your mind to all the amazing possibilities that will flow
to you by releasing the things that no longer serve you. Doesn't
it make sense to get rid of the old couch before you bring in
the new one?
If you lighten your load a little and create space in your life
for your energy to flow freely, you'll be back swinging through
the trees in no time!
Copyright Damien Senn 2005. All rights reserved.
About Author :
Damien Senn helps people create compelling futures. He is one of
the UK's top Life and Business Coaches as well as a fully
qualified Chartered Accountant. 
