Who, me? Stressed?
There is no denying I am living in a stressful situation. That’s why I was so happy to receive this beautiful and timely reminder from blog reader Candace Staar:
A psychologist was teaching stress management. As she raised a glass of water, everyone in the audience expected they’d be asked the “half empty or half full” question. Instead, with a smile on her face, she inquired: “How heavy is this glass of water?”The answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz.
She replied, “The absolute weight doesn’t matter. It depends on how long I 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 arm. If I hold it for a day, my arm will feel numb and paralyzed. In each case, the weight of the glass doesn’t change, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes.”
She continued, “The stresses and worries in life are like that glass of water; think about them for a while and nothing happens. Think about them a bit longer and they begin to hurt. And if you think about them all day long, you will feel paralyzed—incapable of doing anything.”
It’s important to remember to let go of your stresses. As early in the evening as you can, put all your burdens down. Don’t carry them through the evening and into the night.
Remember to put the glass down!
If, like me, your “glass” is one that’s difficult to put down because you are living with it 24/7, let me share the trick that works. It was passed down to me across centuries of wisdom and I invite you to pass it along to anyone who might need it:
I am grateful to have a glass. I am grateful to have water to put into the glass. I am grateful to have strong arms to hold it and very grateful for the ability to pass it to others to hold for me when I cannot.
Remember the Law of Attraction dictates that you attract more of what you focus on. When you are grateful, the Universe delivers more to be grateful for.
When you can be grateful in the midst of great stress, then you are blessed indeed. Thank you to Candace, to that psychologist and to all those great Teachers who show us how to thrive in a stressful world.
Drink from the glass and it will replenish you.
