We carry a load that seems manageable, but after a while, we find it is becoming too much for us. It is not just the load, but the length of time for which we carry it that makes it a problem. It is the same with anything that is on our mind. If we carry it for too long, it starts affecting us. And in spite of knowing this, we carry deep emotions for years together.

The load of guilt and feeling responsible is probably the hardest to drop. We find it easier to forgive others than ourselves. We must accept that we will make mistakes and will be misunderstood. If we become too tough on ourselves, we run the risk of becoming a load on others around us.

The load of hurt and anger if not dealt with, can make us bitter, compromising the way we manage our relationships with others.

There is a third type of load we carry that is most unnecessary; the load of judging others and getting agitated. I am reminded of a story of the monk and his master who saw a lady trying to cross the river. The master carried her on his back, much to the astonishment of the monk. On reaching the other side they went their way. After a while, the monk confronted the master about the fact that he had carried the woman in spite of having taken a sacred vow not to touch women. The master said to the monk – ‘after we crossed the river, I set her down hours ago. Why are you still carrying her?’.

We are well aware of the load we carry, it is the ability to shed this load that we struggle with.

The load of guilt and anguish can be dropped with acceptance and restitution. We need to accept we are as human and prone to making mistakes, and we need to try our level best to make amends for our actions.

The load of hurt and anger can be dropped by taking that most difficult first step and speaking out. The load is not so much of the hurt as much of the suffocating feelings we live with.

The load of being judgemental can be dropped by taking the trouble to understand someone before coming to a conclusion.

And after much effort, if we are still finding it difficult to shed the load we are carrying, which can well happen, then the best way for us is to help someone and share the load they are carrying. We will soon feel lighter because, through the cracks within, we have allowed the light of love, compassion, and service to flow out.