Thought for the Day

Letting Go

The burdens we carry throughout life are very real to us. Often we don’t know their true dimension until they are gone.

I remember once becoming aware of a dental problem. My lower gum ached a little. Sometimes it throbbed, usually while doing some heavy lifting. My tongue explored the area of the mouth little by little over the days and weeks and months.

One day I was aware that one of my molars was extremely sensitive. I realized I was in pain. So the dentist was called, in I went for an examination and x-ray. He diagnosed a dying root and a root canal was in order. I winced and dragged my feet.

Months later I surrendered and called my dentist and asked him to schedule the procedure. Within a week the gruesome and dreaded work was done.

During the procedure I became aware of a lightness having nothing to do with the anesthetic. I asked the endodontist if he had ‘tapped’ the abscess. He reported yes.

Later as I lived my new life without pain (!) I realized how much pain had accumulated without my knowing it. Only when it was gone did I realize how much discomfort I had become used to.  How strange.

Tackling the problem was the trick. Putting it off was the problem.

I found this quote on the internet the other day:

“Sometimes you don’t realize the weight of something you’ve been carrying until you feel the weight of its release.”  -Anonymous

How very true! Think about that this weekend.

September 7, 2013