A Glass of Water

A psychologist walked around the room while teaching stress management to an audience. As she raised a glass of water, everyone expected they would be asked the 'half empty or half full' question. Instead, with a smile on her face, she inquired, "How heavy is this glass of water?"

Answers called out ranged from 8 oz to 20 oz.

She replied, "The absolute weight does not matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, it's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my arm. If I hold it for a day, my arm will feel numb and paralyzed. In each case, the weight of the glass does not change, but the longer I hold it the heavier it becomes".

She continued, "The stresses and worries in life are like that glass of water. Think about them for a while and nothing happens. Think about them a bit longer and they began to hurt. And if you think about them all day long, you will feel paralysed - incapable of doing anything".

It is important to remember to let go of your stresses. As early in the evening as you can, put all your burdens down. Don't carry them through the evening and into the night. Remember to put the glass down.

The phoenix hope, can wing her way through the desert skies,

and still defying fortune's spite,

revive from ashes and rise.

I close my eyes to watch tiny little dancers 

like jeweled birds cross the dark screen of my eye lids.

- Janet Fitch, White Oleander - 

Let us not look back in anger,

nor forward in fear,

but around in awareness.

- James Thurber -

What people in the world think of you is really none of your business. 

- Martha Graham - 

Pure silence

We sit silently and watch the world around us.

This has taken a lifetime to learn. 

It seems only the old are able to sit next to one another 

and not say anything and still feel content.

The young, brash and impatient, must always break the silence.

It is a waste for silence is pure. 

Silence is holy. 

It draws people together because only those who are comfortable
with each other can sit without speaking. 

This is the great paradox.

- Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook - 

The one who follows the crowd will usually get no further than the crowd.

The one who walks alone, is likely to find himself in places no one has ever been. 

- Albert Einstein - 

To Build a Home - The Cinematic Orchestra

Year end's approaching and it's time to select a song of the year. And it's called To build a home by The Cinematic Orchestra and it has been playing in my head for several months thus an enchanting music score. Don't get played by the music title for it is not all about building a home and if you listen closely to the lyrics, the song carries metaphor and meanings behind every single word. I will leave you with the lyrics to ponder a while.

There is a house built out of stone

Wooden floors, walls and window sills

Tables and chairs worn by all of the dust

This is a place where I don't feel alone

This is a place where I feel at home

'Cause, I built a home

For you

For me

Until it disappeared

From me

From you

And now, it's time to leave and turn to dust

Out in the garden where we planted the seeds

There is a tree as old as me

Branches were sewn by the color of green

Ground had arose and passed it's knees

By the cracks of the skin I climbed to the top

I climbed the tree to see the world

When the gusts came around to blow me down

I held on as tightly as you held onto me

I held on as tightly as you held onto me

'Cause, I built a home

For you

For me

Until it disappeared

From me

From you

And now, it's time to leave and turn to dust

Lotus story

If you feel lost, disappointed, hesitant or weak,

Return to yourself to who you are, here and now.

And when you get there, you will discover yourself,

Like a lotus flower in full bloom.

Even in a muddy pond.

Strong and beautiful.

- Masaru Emoto, The Secret Life of Water -

Change

Make every effort to change things you do not like. 

If you cannot make a change, change the way you have been thinking. 

You might find a new solution. 

- Maya Angelou, Letter to My Daughter -