Monday, January 29, 2007

Coffee?

A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor. The 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 to want 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 the 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 God has provided us."

God 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.

5 comments:

Vi said...

I'm craving coffee after reading that! *reaching for her fav old chipped mug*

always kris said...

I am still drinking out a Christmas mug VI. I like the size of it. I could buy another one that is more seasonal, but I figure why waste the money just to be "in season"! lol

We all drink coffee here at work. In fact, there is a fresh pot in the kitchen now...be right back!

Lady in red said...

I think I am a happy person. I certainly dont have the best of anything but i try to make the best of everything.

I have no job no money my house is rundown but I am happy and so are my kids.

hurray for divorce!!

Midnight said...

What a wonderful post Kris! I'm so guilty of looking for the expensive cups all the time, I think my latest post highlights that! Maybe I should try and concentrate on the aroma, blend and strength of the coffee, rather than focus on the fineries of the cup! Good stuff!

Adam said...

You forgot to mention...complicated coffee orders at the local coffee shop also create stress...mostly to those folks who are late for work and behind the person placing that order.

The next person in front of me with a list of orders and 5 different credit cards...well, you know.