Trapeze artists have a saying, “Let the catcher do the catching.” 

As Rodleigh of "The Flying Rodleighs" puts it:

"As a flyer, I must have complete trust in my catcher. The public might think that I am the great star of the trapeze, but the real star is Joe, my catcher. He has to be there for me with split second precision and grab me out of the air as I come to him in the long jump . . . The secret is that the flyer does nothing and the catcher does everything . . . The worst thing the flyer can do is to try to catch the catcher . . . A flyer must fly and a catcher must catch, and the flyer must trust, with outstretched arms, that his catcher will be there for him."

In that simple statement lies a world of wisdom for each of us as we pursue our Vision.

First of all, when we are flying between our trapezes, we have to acknowledge that there are catchers.  A catcher is a person in your life who is there to help you along your way.  That may be a trusted friend or it may be an acquaintance that introduces you to the right person at exactly the right time. We all need catchers -- people who do their jobs so we can do ours.  People who are not necessarily like us but who complement us.  Support for your journey can come from an organized group of people or it may come from a network of people who come in and out of your life as you need them.

An old Zen saying goes: “Leap and the net will appear.”  Often, that net is a group of people who somehow arrive at the right time and provide support when and how you need it.  Catchers instinctively show up and know your rhythm.  One of the keys to this step is being aware that there are catchers in your life and all along your journey and that you have to allow them to support you.  The power of your Vision and your intention will attract the right people at the right time.

Perhaps even more importantly, when the catchers show up, let them do the catching. For the flying trapeze artist, trying too hard to “get caught” will ultimately result in a missed connection. Like the drowning person flailing about in the water, you push people away when you try to do the work of those supporting you. Let the people who show up bring you their gifts and provide the support you need. If you try too hard, you will miss your connection.

“I know I have to do it myself, but I don’t have to do it alone.”

Exercise

In a quiet moment, think about the people in your life who support you and believe in you. Think of the people who have arrived in your life over time just when you needed them.  Make a list in your notebook of the people you have around you that are there to help you now. Add to it as you move along your journey. Notice how people arrive when they should.

Also, look at ways that you might be pushing away help by trying to do the catching for the catcher. Is there someone who might be a help but you haven't let her in? 

A career counselor uses this as an example. If you are looking for a job, you have to get out and talk to people and “network” to find the leads and the ideas that will eventually land you a new position. If someone you are talking to doesn’t know you well, she may be hesitant to give you a lead or a contact at first. If she asks you, “Have you considered XYZ Corp.?” (… because she has a friend there who might be able to help you), and you answer, “Yes, but I hear they aren’t hiring now, so I took them off my list,” she most likely won’t give you the lead. If you respondby saying something like, “Yes, I have … but did you have something in mind?,” you would open the door and let her (the catcher) help you by giving you a new lead.

Look for places in your life that help may be waiting or people may be available that you haven’t been open to. Contact them and build your "net!"

Let the catchers do the catching! 

Reprinted from betweentrapezes.com