Sometimes you have to let go in order to succeed.
Just yesterday I was sparring with one of my wily training partners, Joseph, when I secured a strong grip behind his neck as I pinned him to the ground. Joseph can be dangerous in almost any position. He got his legs free from underneath my pin and as he did he threw his legs around my neck for a triangle choke which looks something like this:
This choke only worked because I didn’t let go of the “strong” grip I had. Useful in another position, but dangerous to hold onto as circumstances change.
This is one of the great lessons down from ancient myths. The death and the resurrection. Shedding old habits or toxic relationships in favor of what could be. Abandoning a long-held position or belief when circumstances change or new evidence is presented.
A useful motto for this concept is “strong convictions, loosely held”.
As I was reminded on Saturday, this is easier said than done.
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I’ve never heard the phrase, “Strong convictions, loosely held” before, but I like it. I’ve embraced skepticism in recent years, which has called into question so many of my previous beliefs. But, it has also helped me realize what of those beliefs were complete bunk. I still have a few strong convictions, namely a humanist perspective and a disdain for ideologies.