The Glass of Water and The Ambulance

I receive a daily motivational quote/story email, and the following was one that made me stop and think. The author is unknown. The analogy so true and powerful. Here it is:

"A lecturer, when explaining stress management to an audience, raised a glass of water and asked, 'How heavy is this glass of water?' Answers called out ranged from four ounces up to twelve. The lecturer replied, 'The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long you try to hold it.

"'If I hold it for a minute, it's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm. If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance. In each case, it's the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes.'

He continued, "And that's the way it is with stress management. If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, as the burden becomes increasingly heavy, we won't be able to carry on. As with the glass of water, you have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again. When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the burden, if we feel we must.

"'So, before you return home tonight, put the burden of work down. Don't carry it home. You can pick it up tomorrow. Whatever burdens you're carrying now, let them down for a moment. Relax. Pick them up later after you've rested.'"


— Author Unknown

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I know there have been times, even recently, when I have held onto something for too long until it becomes unhealthy for me and I have to remember to let go...how about you? have you been holding on to something for so long that you might have to call a figurative or literal ambulance soon? Let it go and ask for help if you need to...

peace, hope and love,

Lily