Stress Management Tips: Stress and Tom Sawyer
Channel: Dr. Marvin Marshall's Video Insights
Date: 2018-08-07

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Do you remember the adventure of Tom Sawyer and Aunt Polly?

Enjoy this adventure of Tom Sawyer by Samuel Clemens in one of Mark Twain's hilarious thoughts in a Mark Twain short story.

Tom Sawyer had the responsibility of whitewashing the fence—that is, Aunt Polly’s front picket fence,which was 30 yards wide and 9 feet high. 

On Saturday morning, Tom was engaged in the chore when he saw Ben approaching. Tom put on a smile and showed Ben how he was really enjoying the activity. 

Ben, on his way to the swimming hole, approached Tom and said, "Pity you’ve got to work on Saturday morning; I’m on my way to go swimming."

Tom responded, "Sorry Ben, but you don’t understand. Work is something you are obliged to do. Besides I don’t think there is more than one person in one thousand—maybe in two thousand—who can whitewash Aunt Polly's fence the way she wants it. She isn't too particular about her back fence, but she is very particular about her front fence—right here on the street."

Ben said, "Can I try it?"

Tom responded, "I'm not sure. If the whitewash isn't done exactly the way Aunt Polly wants it, she'll be very angry."

Ben said, "Let me try."

Tom retorted, "I don't know."

Ben pleaded, "C'mon Tom. Give me a chance!"

Tom shot back, "I don't know Ben. What've you got?"  

Ben pulled out two marbles.

Tom responded with reluctance on his face, "Okay, but be very careful; otherwise, you can't do it."

Tom, with Ben at his side, eagerly continued whitewashing the fence.

A few minutes later, another teenager was walking toward the swimming hole when he came upon Tom and Ben having a good time.

The same scene was reenacted—again, again, and again.

Before long, Tom was sitting under an apple tree counting his bounty while a bunch of boys—whose intentions that Saturday morning were to go swimming—found themselves eagerly whitewashing Aunt Polly's picket fence.

Tom had discovered a grand law of human behavior. He could reduce his stress about a project if he could get others to do it for him.

Tip: Work consists of being obliged to do something—while play consists of whatever a person is not obliged to do.

Think of it this way: If Tom paid the boys, they would have considered it work and would not have been motivated to do what was really a chore.

Challenge: Do you engage in activities because of obligation or desire?

If you would like more insightful tips on how to manage your stress, pick up a copy of “Live Without Stress" at WithoutStressBook.com. If you get the book, I will send you a second one for FREE. Give it to a friend or family member so that they too can learn to live without stress.

Thanks for watching and sharing this video.

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