Elephants and twigs

In India (before the bulldozer or the crane were invented) elephants were trained to do heavy lifting for their trainers. A trainer will either purchase or capture a baby elephant. For the first few weeks, they tie the elephant to the biggest, heaviest objects they can find. The baby struggles and struggles, until it finally accepts that wherever it is tied, it can not escape.

Because of their good memories, this lesson is remembered. The trainer is able to tie a fully-grown elephant to a tiny twig stuck in the ground. 

As small children, we learn similar limiting lessons. However, some of us realise that the bonds holding us back are not as strong as we thought. These are the people who break away from damaging relationships, or make massive changes to improve their lives.