The power of a story to get to the heart of an issue and nail the truth is beautifully illustrated by this story about a glass of water.
A professor raised a glass of water in front of his students.
“How heavy is this glass of water?” He asked with a smile. The students’ answers ranged from 10oz to 20oz.
“Okay, now could one of you come here and help me hold the glass?”
A girl walked to the table and held the glass.
After a few minutes, the girl said, “Sir, I’m tired. Is it OK to leave the glass on the table now?”
The professor smiled, nodded yes and said to the students, “Imagine if you have to hold this glass for an hour or even a day! Would you think now that the 10ozs or 20 ozs weight was too little?”
“No” all the students answered. The professor continued “The weight of a glass of water does not change, but the longer you hold it, the heavier it becomes.
Our worries and stresses are like this glass of water. Think about them for a moment and nothing happens. Think about them longer and they begin to hurt. Think about them all day long and you will be unable to do anything else.
Do not carry your burdens all day long – put them down as often as you can.
Remember to put the glass down.”
