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Dope on a Rope!
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A criminal committed a crime. (Because hey, that’s what criminals do.) Anyway, he was sent to the king for his punishment. The king told him he had a choice. He could be hung by a rope or take the punishment behind the big dark scary steel door. The criminal quickly decided on the rope. As the noose was being slipped on him, he asked, “Out of curiosity, what’s behind that door?” The king laughed and said, “You know, it’s funny, I offer all you guys the same choice, and nearly all of you pick the rope.” “So,” said the criminal, “what’s behind the door? Obviously, I won’t tell anyone,” he said, pointing to the noose around his neck. The king paused then answered. “Freedom, but it seems most people are so afraid of the unknown that they immediately take the rope.”
(How to be Happy, Dammit—a Cynic’s Guide to Spiritual Happiness by Karen Salmansohn)
I love this "symbolic fable in a box," as the author calls it. How many of you would have taken the noose over the door?
Are you afraid to try something new because FEAR keeps you from branching out, taking a risk, trying something that appears scary?
Given the choice, and you do have a choice, choose the door of opportunity; the door that opens up to new adventures.
You're literally killing your spirit by keeping it trapped inside. Let it venture out. It wants to fly. Let it.
Slipstream
I love the rope story! As you say, FEAR (False Evidence Appearing Real) kills. It kills opportunities, joy, happiness, and the list goes on. I get it. Anything outside of what we already know is scary, but that's where the adventure lies and where the spirit soars. Great article!