We live on the top floor of a 5-storey building. I had to carry a bag of rice up the stairs and into our flat. I felt like I would die. My legs were shaking and all of that. Now, I've done it multiple times, but I was just coming out of a workout. My legs were already shaking before the endeavor.
Of course, my mind will be going to and from, but a thought crossed it and I refused to let it go. I realized that the burden gets heavier the higher you take it. I would have paused to reflect and to say “hmm, what a line”, If not that I would have probably died from the weight and from exhaustion. I was still on the 3rd floor then.
But really, burdens get heavier the longer you carry them, and also, the higher you take them. It's something relatable to life, if there's something we all have in a large enough share, it's problems. They are everywhere! The more fixated we are on them, the more encompassing they appear to be and it could get overwhelming quickly.
I'm all for sound mind and great mental health, but I don't think life cares. It is therefore important that we care for ourselves and take necessary actions to protect our sanity. There are unnecessary burdens we carry, social pressure and anxiety being some of them. It's dynamic to each person but they may fall under the unnecessary banner.
Those are the burdens to let go of, slowly. Trying to take them all out at once can cause collapse, I know because immediately I dropped the bag, I fell with it gasping for breath. Take off those burdens one after the other. It's worth protecting your energy, your sanity, your mind, spirit and body to prevent shutting down like a machine.
There are necessary burdens too. The biggest examples are family responsibilities, business responsibilities whether you are a business owner or staff. These ones cannot just be thrown out the window. You cannot disappear on your family or boss, it won't be funny. So, what do we do? Find a balance, force yourself to rest, I sure did, at the fourth floor, before the final hurdle.
Surround yourself with people who can alleviate that burden one way or the other, not, those who are experts at adding to it. Protect your circle, your peace and your energy. Give, but preserve yourself. Take a breather when needed.
They say we need to work in symmetry and run like a well oiled machine. It takes conservation and recuperation to do that. Rest up this weekend, let that burden lighten up a notch.
