The young lady confidently walked around the room while leading and explaining stress management to an audience.
She raised a glass of water, and everyone knew she was going to ask the ultimate question, 'half empty or half full?' But, she fooled them all.
"How heavy is this glass of water?" she inquired with a smile.
"How heavy is this glass of water?" she inquired with a smile.
Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz.
She explained, "The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long I hold it.
"If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem.
"If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my 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."
After a pause, she continued, "and that's the way it is with stress.
"If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, they becomes increasingly heavy, and we can't carry on.
"If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem.
"If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my 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."
After a pause, she continued, "and that's the way it is with stress.
"If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, they becomes increasingly heavy, and we can't carry on.
"As with the glass of water, you have to put them down for a while and rest before holding them again. When we're refreshed, we can carry on--holding stress longer and better each time practiced.
"So, as early in the evening as you can, put all your burdens down. Don't carry them through the evening and into the night.
Whatever burdens you're carrying now, let them down for a moment. Relax, then pick them up later after you've rested. You'll be surprised how well you can manage them."
Whatever burdens you're carrying now, let them down for a moment. Relax, then pick them up later after you've rested. You'll be surprised how well you can manage them."
5 comments:
What a great way to think about letting go of your stress! Thanks for sharing!
Very good advise.
I love this analogy. I will be sharing your post with my Facebook friends. As I drink my last glass of water tonight, when I put down my glass I will also remember to put down my "stressors."
btw - I visited NO NZ in March for 3 delicious weeks. I hope to come back soon.
I like what this woman said. I have learned how bad it is for me to carry my burdens all day and night. If there is no solution you have to let them go.
This is a very clever way to make our stressors tangible in our minds... because we rarely stop to think how tangible they are without us having to be clever. I will remember this story for a long time to come... thank you for sharing!!
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