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Don’t Let Go of the Rope

Believe • September 30, 2023

Stephanie sat in the water shivering, both from the cold water and in anticipation of what she was about to do. It had been a fun summer of adventures for her and her family. There had been camping trips, amusement park adventures, exploring the zoo, and now a day at the lake. Her grandpa had bought a new boat and they had been having a great time riding the tube. Now there was an opportunity to try water skiing.

As Stephanie sat in the water getting the water skis on, her mind was running through all the details her grandpa and dad had taught her about water skiing; get the skis on, give a thumbs up when ready, once a water ski rope was thrown to you, put the rope between the skis, lean back (not forward), keep your arms straight and your knees bent, when you are set give another thumbs up or say “hit it”, allow the boat to pull you up, and lastly, don’t let go of the rope.

Stephanie was all set and nervously said “Hit it!” Shortly after the boat moved forward, she felt the pull. She was up! It felt great! Then a little fear came. "What was she supposed to do if she fell?" Just as that thought went through her mind, she hit a wave and crashed into the water. The last thing she was told was, “Don’t let go of the rope.” With this thought etched into her mind, she held on for dear life. Her mind was racing, "Why am I not supposed to let go of the rope? Will they not be able to find me? Will I sink? Where did the skis go? I can’t hold on much longer because my grip is loosening, and I can’t catch a breath."

Just as that last thought came to her, the pulling stopped, and she slowly sank into the water. She was still holding on to the rope. After what seemed like minutes, but was really seconds, she could hear her family telling her to let go of the rope. “But you told me not to let go of the rope.” There was a bit of laughter, then some understanding started to take place. She had a life jacket on that would keep her afloat. Both skis had come off but were close enough that she could either swim to them or they could troll over to them in the boat and secure them. Her family had raised an orange flag to signal to others that there was someone in the water, which was a signal for them to keep a safe distance.

As her body relaxed and she realized she was safe, she found herself laughing with her family. The thought of not letting go of the rope now seemed ridiculous. This laughter relaxed her and opened her mind to the possibility of trying again. The experience brought follow-up questions on what to be aware of when she was skiing, "If she didn’t fall and was tired, how does she signal she is done? Was it as simple as just letting go of the rope?"

What are you holding on to that is taking you down? Are you letting a past failure stop you from trying again? Have you considered seeking help from others?

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” These are wise words from Winston Churchill. It can be disheartening or embarrassing when we don’t reach a desired outcome. However, it is in these moments of failure that we often find the most valuable lessons and opportunities for growth.

One reason for persevering or working through failure is that it fosters resilience. Each time we pick ourselves up and try again, we become stronger and more resilient. While on this pathway we are led to others that are also looking for answers and opportunities. In our resilience, we find opportunities to foster new connections and relationships that fuel our momentum and bring understanding to things we are working towards.

Another reason for persevering through failure is that it often serves as a stepping stone to success. Thomas Edison, while working on the invention of the light bulb, famously said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” His perseverance eventually led him to one of the most impactful inventions in history.

The importance of persevering through failure lies in the growth, resilience, and opportunities it can bring. Failure is not the end; it is part of the journey toward achieving your goals and realizing your dreams. Letting go of something that is taking you down and reaching for something better will allow you to develop your gifts and goals. This act of letting go is something to be sought after and honored. Sometimes, we hold onto things that have protected or helped us in the past, but, just like the rope, there are times when we should simply let go and have faith. Letting go can, at the appropriate times, bring peace and healing, and can enable us to better enjoy life and all that it offers.

At Believe we recognize the importance of working through our failures and holding on to our goals to realize our dreams. We would love to have you join us in the journey to make our nation a better place.