the comparison of a glass of water to problems from a teacher in Philosophy
"the absolute weight of the glass of water doesn't matter, it depends on how long I hold it which creates the problem. When I hold a glass of water for a minute it won't be any issue, when I hold it an hour I might already feel it in my arm, when I keep it the entire day I might actually feel hurt in my arm. The longer I hold it the heavier it'll be to hold it. Troubles work the same way, when you think of it for a minute it's no problem, but the longer you think of it the more hurt you'll feel... if you think of it the entire day it will bring me into an emotional state of coma and I won't be able to take action either way. So it's important to let go off troubles as soon as you can: accept the situation as it is whether you can take action right away or only in future focus on what is possible in the NOW and let go of all the rest ... in other words: don't forget to put down the glass of water from time to time."