How Heavy Is This Glass of Water?

[twopack]

A few weeks ago a member here requested we post some jokes and try to lift our collective spirits. As I was searching for a good joke to share, I came across the following story in an old email file.  It didn't fit the request at the time but I was struck by how appropriate it was to the stress of living with MS.  Since so many of us have continued to struggle lately and this story keeps invading my thoughts, perhaps now is the time to share.  (Besides, there must be some reason it wasn't lost in my recent computer collapse.)  Here goes:

A lecturer, when explaining stress management to an audience, raised a glass of water and asked, "How heavy is this glass of water ? "

People called out answers ranging from 8oz. to 20oz.

The lecturer replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long you try to hold it.  If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem.  If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm.  If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance."

"In each case, it's the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes. "

He continued, "And that's the way it is with stress management.  If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, as the burden becomes increasingly heavy, we won't be able to carry on.  As with the glass of water, you have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again. When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the burden. "

To me, this seemed to be a good strategy for living with MS (or maneuvering along in the limboland journey).

Sometimes we need to, at least mentally, put down the burden. We need to stop loading ourselves up with thoughts about what the disease is stealing from us or will do to us next. We can hand it off to someone else.  We can simply let go and leave it where it lands.  We can always return to the weight of a necessary burden on days when such loads are more manageable.  After all, it seems MS requires all activity occur in moderation.

Whatever MS burdens you're carrying now, let them down for a moment if you can. Relax, rest, medicate if necessary and find your balance. Life is short. Sometimes we have to make moments to enjoy.

A report of the testing and proving of this theory was filed right here on the forum very recently.  (Thanks Rendean)

Mary

[RedFlame]

I needed that, thanks for the bump

Red

[Sparkysarah]

Thanks for sharing this...spot on.

Love Sarah x

[michelleric]

Thank you Mary.  Some great points to think of, matter of fact I am going to start that right now.  I have a cup of tea and am trying to "relax"as best I can.  These steroids are wreaking havoc with my sleep.  Maybe if I try to get that come down more often, the loads of stress might leave me?

Great thought and story to ponder.

Thanks again for all your words of wisdom,
Michelle

[twopack]

Bump, cause I'm rebalancing.

[RedFlame]

I love this Mary!   Thank you,   Red

[steph74]

Great story!  I think it's very appropriate for me, living in limbo.  I had to "put down the burden" of looking for 5 years.  When I picked it back up again, it was only because I knew I *had* to and from that point I've (mostly) been able to carry it.  :)

[Guitar_grrrl]

Hear, Hear!!  Even when we have MS, the moments we savor that have nothing to do with MS are the best!  There's still so much many of us still CAN do.

[rendean]

Mary,
I LOVE this! Thank you for posting it. It is sure a concrete thought for one to hang on to in time of stress, etc. Guess I'll be holding my glasses of water for less time.

Ren

[michelleislay]

wonderful post!  thanks very much and i will be sure to find time to "put the glass down" soon.

xo michelle

[figuerpa]

This is awesome Mary. thanks for sharing.

Paula

[supermum_ms]

Mary,

So true a tail and your words of wisdome even more beautifully said i couldn't agree with you more!

Cheers.........JJ

[One day is just a moment of the sum total of your life, enjoy each moment]