A group of alumni, all highly established in their respective careers,
got together for a visit with their old university professor. The
conversation soon turned to complaints about the endless stress of work
and life in general.

Offering his guests coffee, the professor went into the kitchen and soon returned with a large pot of coffee and an eclectic assortment of cups: porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal - some plain, some expensive, some quite exquisite. Quietly he told them to help themselves to some fresh coffee.

When each of his former students had a cup of coffee in hand, the old
professor quietly cleared his throat and began to patiently address the
small gathering. "You may have noticed that all of the nicer looking
cups were taken up first, leaving behind the plainer and cheaper ones.
While it is only natural for you to want only the best for yourselves,
that is actually the source of much of your stress-related problems."

He continued, "Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the
coffee. In fact, the cup merely disguises or dresses up what we drink.
What each of you really wanted was coffee, not a cup, but you
instinctively went for the best cups. Then you began eyeing each other's
cups. Now consider this:

Life is coffee. Jobs, money, and position in society are merely cups.
They are just tools to shape and contain Life, and the type of cup we
have does not truly define nor change the quality of the Life we live.
Often, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee
that God has provided us. God brews the coffee, but He does not supply
the cups. Enjoy your coffee!"

The happiest people don't have the best of everything, they just make
the best of everything they have. So please remember: Live simply. Love
generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.

And remember - the richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least.


At this time of my life, I'm thankful for the special flavor you add to my coffee.