♦ 一杯水的重量 A Glass Of Water – A Short Story—-Neeraj Jain

我們都有這樣的經驗,突來的困難,打亂靜好的日子。在壓力源沒有解決掉之前,要靠每個人的抗壓性來度日子,這往往是一種煎熬

本文是從心理分析來說明應付壓力源(手上的一杯水)的方法。綠色字體是聖經教導的方法。聖經的方法除了本文的幾個處理原則外,更從人生大格局來看事情。


A Glass Of Water – A Short Story

In a renowned American university, there was a time when a psychology professor, known for her expertise in stress management, stood before a packed auditorium of eager students. As she gracefully moved about the stage, she held a glass of water in her hand. The audience anticipated the classic “Is the glass half empty or half full?” question. However, much to their surprise, the professor, wearing a gentle smile, posed a different inquiry: “How heavy is the glass of water I’m holding?”


The students offered various responses, ranging from a few ounces to a couple of pounds. The professor then explained, “From my perspective, the actual weight of the glass is inconsequential. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute or two, it feels quite light. If I hold it for an hour, my arm might start to ache. If I keep holding it for a day, my arm will cramp up and go completely numb, forcing me to drop the glass. The weight of the glass remains the same, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes to me.”


The class nodded in agreement as the professor continued, “Your stresses, anxieties, and worries in life are much like this glass of water. Briefly contemplating them is manageable. Prolonged dwelling on them makes you uncomfortable. If you persist for even longer, it will start to wear you down. Continuously thinking about them all day will leave you feeling paralyzed, unable to make any progress until you let go.”


The students nodded in understanding of the professor’s message. With a smile, she posed another question, “What happens when you add more water? What if you fill the glass to the top? Undoubtedly, things become even more burdensome.

The key is to simply put the glass down for a while. When it’s down, it enables you to refocus and reassess the skills needed to deal with the situations.”


A Glass Of Water – Moral Of The Story:

The glass of water serves as a metaphor for the emotional burdens we carry in our lives. Its weight remains constant, but it’s how we handle it that determines its impact on us.

In essence, the story encourages us to be conscious of how we manage our emotional baggage. Recognizing the signs of accumulating stress and knowing when and how to put it down can lead to a healthier, more resilient, and more balanced life.


Lessons And Application To Our Lives:

1. Don’t carry your worries indefinitely

Just like the professor’s glass of water, we must not hold onto our concerns for extended periods. It’s critical to acknowledge our stress while also finding opportunities to set it aside and take a break.

“Worrying doesn’t empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.”

Corrie Ten Boom

所以,不要為明天憂慮,因為明天自有明天的憂慮;一天的難處一天當就夠了。(太6:34)

2. Refocusing and reevaluating

Setting aside our worries allows us to refocus and think about how to tackle our problems more effectively. Sometimes, a fresh perspective is all we need to find solutions.

Refocusing —將目光從地上的苦難,轉到十字架上的耶穌

reevaluating—用上帝國的價值觀,重新評估眼前的苦難

 

3. Balance is key

It’s crucial to strike a balance between addressing our concerns and taking breaks. We should not let our worries overwhelm us, but we shouldn’t ignore them either. Find the right balance that works for you.

”已然already—而未然’but not yet’,讓我們踏踏實實地過世上的日子。

4. Seek support

Sometimes, sharing your concerns with friends, family, or a professional can help lighten the load, much like temporarily setting down the glass of water. Don’t hesitate to seek support when needed. Additionally, when we find ourselves trapped in a situation, we often become subjective and may struggle to view things objectively.

In such instances, someone who is not directly involved or affected by the situation might offer a fresh perspective, revealing insights that may elude the person directly involved. Seeking support can prove to be highly valuable in these situations.

基督徒背後有強大有力的靠山。

耶和華是我的牧者, 我必不致缺乏。 他使我躺臥在青草地上, 領我在可安歇的水邊。 他使我的靈魂甦醒, 為自己的名引導我走義路。 我雖然行過死蔭的幽谷, 也不怕遭害, 因為你與我同在; 你的杖,你的竿,都安慰我。 在我敵人面前,你為我擺設筵席; 你用油膏了我的頭,使我的福杯滿溢。 我一生一世必有恩惠慈愛隨着我; 我且要住在耶和華的殿中,直到永遠。(詩篇 23:1-6 )

5. Mindfulness and self-care

Engaging in mindfulness practices and self-care can help you manage your stress and worries more effectively, allowing you to put the glass down when necessary.

「正念」是現代臨床醫學很推薦的自我治療方法。「正念」是不帶批判的認真品味當下的每一事物、每個念頭。

 

基督宗教的靈修活動中也有類似的元素。例如:靜默,安靜在主面前祈禱、耶穌離開眾人到山上避靜禱告。聖經教導我們要學習耶穌的榜樣,當忙完一天的事務,應該讓自己抽離繁忙的情境,來到天父上帝面前,安靜下來禱告。

又例如:放下與交託,凡勞苦擔重擔的應當到主耶穌面前,將一切憂慮與苦悶卸在主面前,主耶穌必使我們得安息。在這樣的過程中,我們透過禱告仔細審視自己的重擔與痛苦、祈求赦免,也清楚的將這些交託給主耶穌,同時產生讓自己暫得安息、重新得力的效果。

與正念課程相比較,基督教靈修最大的不同在於永遠有上帝做為祈求、反省、沉思的參照對象。基督徒從來不會只是練習單純、中立的內觀自己的心念,而不顧及上帝的存在與臨在;基督徒相信在靈修時,上帝鑒察他們的心念、聽到他們舌頭上的每一句話或吟唱的每一首詩歌。若人向上帝祈求,上帝會差遣聖靈內住在人心中。