If you're having a hard time letting go of negative thoughts and emotions, here's an enlightening story from Eckhart Tolle's New Earth entitled "Carrying the Past".
There were 2 Zen monks - Tanzan and Ekido - walking together one day in a muddy road. Along the way, they came upon a young woman, wearing a kimono, who was trying to cross the road. But because the mud was deep, it would surely ruin her kimono so Tanzan picked her up and carried her to the other side of the road.
The 2 monks walked in silence. After 5 hours and nearing their temple, Ekido asked:
"Why did you carry the woman? We, monks, aren't supposed to do things like that."
Tanzan replied: "I put the girl down hours ago. Are you still carrying her?"
Imagine how life would be if we're like Ekido! Unable and unwilling to let go internally and accumulating unnecessary mental baggage. Such waste of time and energy. Moral of the story? Let's nip negative thoughts in the bud because really, there's no good reason to collect and carry them in the first place:)
