Put The Glass Down

It hurts to let go, but sometimes it hurts more to hold on. To heal your wound, you need to stop touching it.

A professor entered his classroom with a glass of water. He raised the glass of water. Everyone in the room expected the half entry or half full question. Instead, to everyone’s surprise, the professor smiled and inquired: “How heavy is this glass of water?” The answers called out for the range from 8 Oz to 15 Oz.

“I need to weigh it to know how much exactly it weighs. But the question, I want you to answer is – what if I held the glass up for a minute?” asked the professor.

“Nothing,” the students answered unanimously.

“But what if I hold it for an hour?” asked the professor.”

“Your arms will start aching,” answered one of the students.

“You are right! But what if I held it up for a whole day?” The professor asked further.

“Your arms will feel numb, your muscles get stressed, and it may even, get paralysed,” ventured another student,

“You are right! exclaimed the professor. “So what should I do to avoid the pain?” asked the professor.

“Keep the glass down,” answered a student.

“Exactly!” said the professor. He continued “In all the cases the weight of the glass remains the same. But, the longer I held it up, the heavier it becomes. The stress and worries in life are like a glass of water. If you think about them for a while, nothing happens. Think about them for longer; they will start hurting. Think about them for even longer; you will feel stress and be paralysed.”

The problems of life do not cease till death! But, it would be best if one did not carry the stress long enough that it begins to ache and paralyse one’s life.

It is essential to let go of your stress! Let go of that worry and anger against those who hurt you! Let go of bitterness and unforgiveness.

Story culled from ODM.