The Sling Shot Theory
As we walk and live through this life we constantly seek understanding of the events that unfold. That understanding becomes paramount when we face struggles. The one thing that always becomes apparent as I seek understanding through others experience is that whatever struggles I face are dwarfed by comparison to most. Our time on this planet is short and full of pain, beauty, and loss. The sling shot theory is in no way a answer to the universe’s questions or the meaning of life – the sling shot theory is merely a tool to help one measure and plan the outcome of one’s future, a instrument for the way finding sailor.
Let us begin by defining the full picture, take a look at the following diagram.
Lets define our individual as the marble that sits perched in the band of our slingshot. The core of the sling shot theory is that progress is made through adversity, struggle, journey-life. The slingshot sits on two parallel lines, lets define these lines as your journey, and your peers journey. We do this because I believe it is human nature to define your success and failure by where you stand in contrast to your peers. This may not be a healthy outlook but for our theory’s sake let us define it as such. Now our marble sits perched in our slingshot’s nest we live our life and for the time being our journey is parallel to that of our peers, but, because life happens something goes wrong and our marble begins to fall behind, not by gravity but by force.
Though our handle remains parallel with our peers on the parallel lines our marble begin to progress backward. This backward action will be defined as adversity. We will dive into each action and definition as we move forward ,but, for now our objective is to define our diagram. As the adversity causes the band of our sling shot to stretch backward the tension of the band begins to grow. The more adversity the more tension, and what happens when we apply to much tension on a rubber band? It breaks. Now this becomes our next definition we come to a point where two scenarios maybe realized. Scenario one, we reach breaking point ,or, scenario two, we define our breaking point and we convert this band break into a catalyst. In scenario one we reach breaking point, our band snaps, and, we fall further behind our peers. In scenario two, or band is converted to catalyst and we are propelled forward utilizing our adversity as fuel to advanced not only back to the point of our peers, but, if we utilize our fuel appropriately far and beyond our handle that sits at the starting point. This is the sling shot theory, now we will further define each station of the sling shot.
The Handle
Let us define our handle, if we take a look at our sling shot the handle is the base for which the band is placed. The sling shot theory can be utilized in every walk of life let us examine some scenarios in order to better understand how we may apply the SST to our own. Take a look at the athlete, the athlete is clearly ranked in comparison with his peers. The athlete would place his handle where he sits in line of ranking if he is ranked 5th behind the handle would start with 6th 7th so on and so forth, and in front of the handle would be 4th 3rd 2nd 1st. The SST does not have to be as clearly defined as the athlete’s path it is up to the indivual to define success and failure in their current state whether it is climbing the corporate ladder, becoming a career student, or ascending the ranks of the military. The key to the SST is to reach for your sling shot when adversity hits. You are David adversity is Goliath, use this tool to make the difference between failure and success. Whether you crushed by the giant or remembered for your battle through adversity to reach the mountain top is up to you.
The Band
Next let us define the band the rubber that is pulled back from the handle. The band can vary in strength, we would relate the strength of the band to our strength of character. We all experience adversity, it is how we handle that adversity that dictates how we progress through life. The more we learn from our experience, the more we apply lessons, the more we educate our selves, the more we hold true to our values, the thicker the rubber of our band. Again it is important to understand the sling shot not be applied until a major hurdle is placed in front of us. The store we work at is closing, our pitching arm is broken, our firm goes bankrupt. We must also consider the context of our journey mustn’t always be defined in the scope of our current role. Success and failure may occur on a completely different road apart from the one we currently tread.
The Tension (adversity)
Tension, adversity, this can be defined as a specific event, or defined as a series of unfortunate events. The tension is the force that pulls us back toward the breaking point. It must remain apparent that adversity comes in many forms and may not be in direct correlation of the job, or the active journey of our traveler. It can come in the form of an injury, physical or mental. It may come in the form of financial crisis. It can also come in the form loss, loss of loved one, loss of a relationship, loss of a job. Adversity is defined in Webster as a state or instance of serious or continued difficulty or misfortune.
The Breaking Point
The breaking point this is the most important station of the sling shot. The breaking point is the point where we either buckle under the pressure of the world and fall behind, or make a active decision to not be overtaken by the struggle of life. How do we do this? We define our breaking point, we draw our line in the sand. We remain a vigilant audience to the story of our life. The same circumstance that dictate the thickness of our band also dictates whether we convert our breaking point in to a catalyst.
The Catalyst
The catalyst, the conversion, what separate the men from the boys, the champion from the participants, the great monuments of history from that which will become dust in the wind. Catalyst, a person or thing that participates an event. Finding the catalyst is up to you, in reference to the definition I suppose one can identify as the person or the thing.
In order to define the catalyst we must understand that things do happen sometimes for reasons we can not determine, sometimes they work out in our best interest, some times not, but, the thing we must identify and own is that we are in charge of our lives. Whether it be a problem that can be solved or a circumstance that we must work with, what we chose to do or not do, in it self is a choice.
As we continue defining these terms associated with the theory the one resounding truth is that you, the individual, the marble, is the one responsible for defining the terms and definition of the Sling shot, where it sits, what lies ahead, your expectations, your line in the sand, as well as the steps you need to take to define not only your catalyst but the agent in your life that will act as your fuel for propulsion.
The Propulsion
Propulsion, the action of driving or pushing forward. What does that definition mean for you, It must mean more than just dealing with our delivered circumstance. It means progressing forward not just pushing against the wind that blows us back, but training our vessel to strengthen and over come in order to not only push forward into that wind but run at full force. Propulsion should not just be by definition a reason to overcome, even though it can be, it should instead be a way forward, steps to succeed, incremental short distance climbs to get to the top of the mountain.
The Sling shot theory is only the frame of the house it is your responsibility to build it. These stations are meant to have a open design, it is the freedom within its framework that you will build success. Be honest with your self, respect your self, dictate what your life is, don’t let what your life is dictate who you are.
Countlessheep. 