A story on letting go

I found this story online. Enjoy.

Zen monks, Tanzan & Ekido, were walking along a country road that had become extremely muddy after heavy rains.

Near a village, they came upon a young woman who was trying to cross the road, but the mud was so deep it would have ruined the silk kimono she was wearing. Tanzan at once picked her up and carried her to the other side.

The monks walked on in silence. Five hours later, as they were approaching the lodging temple, Ekido couldn’t restrain himself any longer. “Why did you carry that girl across the road?” he asked. “We monks are not supposed to do things like that.”

“I put the girl down hours ago,” said Tanzan. “Are you still carrying her?”

We have about 2000–3000 thoughts an hour. To let go of past thoughts and move on is powerful. It could even become liberating when getting rid of negative thoughts. This is one of many ways of living in the present. Try to not entertain negative thoughts. If it doesn’t add value to your life now and in the foreseeable future make peace with it and move on. I guess the moral of the story is to be be in the here and now. Yesterday has happened — how can I learn from it? Tomorrow is not promised — what could I do today to set myself up if tomorrow arrives? Today is the only day that matters — why am I doing what I am doing right now?