This story was shared by Deborah Knox, AngelsTeach University Teacher and Angelic Life Coach at our AngelsTeach Thanksgiving Spiritual Feast. Enjoy! 

A young lady confidently walked around the room while leading and explaining stress management to an audience; with a raised glass of water, and everyone knowing she was going to ask the ultimate question, “half empty or full?”… she fooled them all, “How heavy is this glass of water?”, she inquired with a smile.

Answers called out ranged from 8oz to 20oz.  She replied, “The absolute weight does not matter.  It depends on how long I hold it.  If I hold it for one minute, that’s not a problem.  If I hold it for an hour, I’ll have an ache in my right (or left!) 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.” 

She continued, “and that’s the way it is with stress.  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 a while and rest before holding it again.  When we’re refreshed, we can carry on with the burden – holding stress longer and better each time practiced.  So, as early in the evening as you can, put all your burdens down (hand them over to your Angels!).  Don’t carry them through the evening and into the night.. pick them up tomorrow, if you wish.  Whatever burdens you are carrying now, let them down for a moment.  Relax, pick them up later after you’ve rested.  Life is short.  Enjoy it and the now ‘supposed’ stress that you’ve conquered!”