Stress Lesson: Glass of Water

[Original Author Unknown]

A chemistry professor decided to teach his students a different lesson one day. He stood at the front of the room holding a glass of water in his hand.

He asked the students, “How much do you think this glass of water weighs?”

“500 grams,” came a voice from the back.

“600,” said another student.

“I don’t really know how much the glass weighs.” The professor said, holding the glass up to make sure everyone could see it. “And unless we weigh it, we can’t know.”

With the glass still in his outstretched hand, the professor continued, “What will happen if I hold it like this for a few minutes?”

“Nothing.” came the reply.

“Right, and if I hold it for an hour like this, what might happen?”

“Your hand will begin to ache,” said a student.

“Indeed. And what would happen if I held the glass in my hand like this for 24 hours?”

“You would be in tremendous pain,” said one student.

“Your hand will probably go numb,” said another.

“Your arm will be paralyzed and we’ll need to rush you to the hospital.” said a student in the last row.

“True,” said the professor. “But notice that through all this, the weight of the glass did not change. What then causes the pain?”

The class went quiet. The students seemed puzzled. “What should I do to avoid the pain?” asked the professor.

“Put the glass down.” said a student.

“Well said!” exclaimed the professor. “And that’s a lesson I want you to remember. This glass of water represents the problems, worries and stress in your life.

If you think about them for a while, nothing will happen. But if you think about them a while longer, they will begin to hurt. And if you think about them all day long, you will feel paralyzed and incapable of doing anything.

It’s important to let go of your stress and worries.

Put the glass down.”

Poet/Writer/Author of 5 books.
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