By Ling Sing Lin
Backpack
I go to the Singapore Botanical Gardens almost every morning to walk for exercise, for about seventy minutes each time. I carry a backpack with some essentials including a small foldable umbrella in case it rains. Rain or shine, unless there is lightning, I will walk. The bagpack is not heavy at all. However, after walking some distance, it feels heavier and heavier. I sometimes swap it around and carry the bag in front, and even use my hands to partially support its weight, to relieve the burden on my shoulders.
Glass of Water
When I read a post in BabaMail titled “How heavy is a glass of water?”. I immediately understood the question and knew the answer. It depends on how long you hold the glass. The longer you hold the glass of water, the heavier it feels.
Stresses and Worries
Stresses and worries in life are like a glass of water. If you think of them for a short time, nothing much happens. The longer you ponder and fret over them, all day and all night long, the worse they become. In fact, they magnify in size to become the worst case scenarios. As Christians, we are advised to pray about it and leave it to God to help you solve the problem.
Put Down the Glass
Put down the glass early in the evening. Put down your burden. I sometimes find that by the next morning, I discover a solution.
He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother
Some of you may remember this song sung by The Hollies. It’s sentiment is commendable, that you do not consider it a burden because he is your brother, hence he is your responsibility.
However, if this is a long, long road that you need to travel with such a burden, such as a sibling or child with a severe disability that needs your care and support all his life, I doubt you will continue to say “He ain’t heavy”. Even if you continue to carry this burden, it does get heavier, like a glass of water or a bagpack carried for a long time.
lingsinglin
Dr Ling Sing Lin is a medical doctor by training. She worked in MOH HQ for many years, in policy making and administrative positions, until her retirement.
