A Squash and a Squeeze
Squeeze styles in life
by Brian Radcliffe
Suitable for Whole School (Sec)
Aims
To encourage students to consider what might be holding them back in achieving their goals.
Preparation and materials
- You will need the PowerPoint slides accompanying this assembly (A Squash and a Squeeze) and the means to display them.
- Jesus’ words are found in the Bible book of Mark 6:7-13.
Assembly
- Show Slides 1 and 2.
Ask the students if they know what the slides show.
Listen to responses. - Explain that if we went for a walk in the Peak District of Derbyshire, we would come across these styles. They are known as Squeeze Stiles.
- Squeeze Stiles are constructed from vertical columns of rock, usually limestone, which come up to above waist height and allow a restricted way through from one field to the next. Many of these styles are hundreds of years old. They’re made to allow people to squeeze through, but to stop animals such as sheep. For this reason, the gap between the stones is often no more than 15 centimetres. They are also a useful marker for where a footpath goes. Often a walker can look for the next Squeeze Stile to see where to pass into a new field.
- These styles are called Squeeze Stiles because that’s exactly what someone must do to get through. They must squeeze through, often sideways. If you are wearing a huge rucksack, you might need to work out a way to get through!
They are designed to stop sheep getting through, but this also applies to dogs. Many dogs have needed to be lifted over by their owners!
Time for reflection
We sometimes meet ‘squeeze occasions’ in our lives. Times when we come up against an obstacle that prevents us from continuing on a route we’ve chosen. It may be a person who prevents us from continuing. It may be a test we need to pass, or a regulation we didn’t realise was there. It may be some limitation such as an illness or injury. The point is that we can’t proceed because the squeeze event prevents us. We know that’s the correct route, the direction we should travel but we’re stuck. What can we do?
Let’s start by looking at ourselves and considering factors that are holding us back. It may be our attitude or our self-belief. How confident are we in our own abilities? While it’s right to be realistic, it’s very easy to underestimate what we’re capable of, particularly when faced by a new situation. Sometimes we need to have the courage to give something a go or to look for another route. We might need to do some training to prepare us for the challenge, or maybe we will need careful planning, a little research or even a good night’s sleep to help us.
Let’s also think about the rucksack we might be carrying. What are we lugging around on our back that may get in the way. Before we tackle our squeeze situation it might be helpful to remove some things that might get in the way. Are there things we are doing that aren’t helpful in life: friendships, social media, habits?
Squeeze stiles can’t be avoided in thePeak District, if we want to get to the most attractive locations. Likewise, we can’t avoid squeeze situations in our lives, if we want to make the most of our potential. However, once we are through the squeeze situation, we can often feel fulfilled and satisfied.
Music
‘It’s the Climb’ by Miley Cyrus. This can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWL5v2y_dOI
