A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor. Conversation soon turned into
complaints about stress in work and life. Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups -porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive,some exquisite - telling them to help themselves to the coffee.When all the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said:‘If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups were taken up,leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you towant only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups… And then you began eyeing each other’s cups. Now consider this: Life is the coffee; the jobs, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain Life, and the type of cup we have does not define, nor change the quality of life we live. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee that has been provided us.’Life brews the coffee, not the cups … Enjoy your coffee!‘
The happiest people don’t have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.’
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to whatever greater power you believe there is.. Have a blessed day and enjoy your coffee!



February 25th, 2008 at 12:15 am
Very interesting and powerful analogy… it is true that happiness, success and quality of life itself has nothing to do with power, status, money, car, house, job etc. the cofee and the cup… very interesting.
Aseem
http://www.letstalkinsights.com
February 25th, 2008 at 5:49 am
I agree. I love that analogy. People love to learn but they hate to be taught. That little story teaches but is wrapped inside the story. Powerful. Thanks again, Rick