For Effective Stress Management, Put the Glass Down (From FR. BEL R. SAN LUIS, SVD)

Putting down life’s problems
By FR. BEL R. SAN LUIS, SVD
Manila Bulletin June 5, 2010, 8:58pm




A professor began his class by holding up a glass with some water in it.


He held it up for all to see; asked the students, “How much do you think this glass weighs?”


* * *


“50gms!”... “100gms!”... “125gms”... the students answered.


“I really don’t know unless I weigh it,” said the professor, “but, my question is: What would happen if I held it up like this for a few minutes?”


* * *


“Nothing,” the students said. “Ok what would happen if I held it up like this for an hour?” the professor asked. “Your arm would begin to ache,” said one of the students.


“You’re right, now what would happen if I held it for a day?”


* * *


“Your arm could go numb, you might have severe muscle stress; paralysis. Have to go to hospital for sure!” ventured another student; all the students laughed.


“Very good. But during all this, did the weight of the glass change?” asked the professor.


* * *


“No” the students said. “Then what caused the arm ache and the muscle stress?” The students were puzzled.


“Put the glass down!” said one of the students. “Exactly!” said the professor.


“You’ve been holding the glass too long. Life’s problems are something like this. Hold it for a few minutes in your head; they seem all right.


* * *


“Think of them for a long time and they begin to ache. Hold it even longer and they begin to paralyze you. You will not be able to do anything.


“It’s important to think of the challenges (problems) in your life, but EVEN MORE IMPORTANT to ‘put them down’ at the end of every day before you go to sleep.


* * *


“That way, you are not stressed, you wake up every day fresh and strong and can handle any issue, any challenge that comes your way!”


So remember – PUT THE GLASS DOWN TODAY!



(From Paul Abug Notes)