Let Go. No, Really!

My dog gets nervous when he hears thunder. He tries to find a place to hide, or tries to get as close to me as possible. This week, there was a very intense lightening strike that must have hit close by, judging from the loud crash we heard. Shep tried to squeeze into various places, but then crawled up on the couch with me. I could feel his breathing was quick and shallow, and imagine if I could have felt his heart beat, it would have been thumping very quickly, too.

Five minutes after the storm, though, he was lying on the carpet, passed out, oblivious to anything. The problem had passed, as had his concern. He just let go and laid down and had himself a nice nap.

I need to learn from him. I can get caught up in something that bothers me. In my head, it becomes this major annoyance, loud and furious, that I can't let go of. Even well after I first encounter the original issue that got me upset, I carry it around with me. It take everything in me to just let go.

Why do I carry something around that bothers me? I know that it is not doing me any good holding onto it. It would be like my dog choosing to  perpetually put himself in the middle of that thunderstorm that frightens him. He knows enough to get away from it and/or get comfort, then let go when it is over. Why don't I?