A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, were talking at a reunion and decided to go
visit their old university professor, now retired.
During their visit the conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in their work and lives.
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 alumni had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said:
"Notice that 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 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; your job, money and position in society are the cups.
They are just tools to hold and contain Life.
The type of cup one has does not define,
nor change the quality of life a person lives.
Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup,
we fail to enjoy the coffee God has provided us."
God makes the coffee, man chooses the cups.
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.
Enjoy your coffee!
~Anon
Contributed by Bill Eagle
visit their old university professor, now retired.
During their visit the conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in their work and lives.
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 alumni had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said:
"Notice that 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 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; your job, money and position in society are the cups.
They are just tools to hold and contain Life.
The type of cup one has does not define,
nor change the quality of life a person lives.
Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup,
we fail to enjoy the coffee God has provided us."
God makes the coffee, man chooses the cups.
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.
Enjoy your coffee!
~Anon
Contributed by Bill Eagle
Soundtrack: Cavatina
To see the world in a grain of sand
and heaven in a wildflower
hold infinity
in the palm of your hand
and eternity in an hour.
~William Blake
and heaven in a wildflower
hold infinity
in the palm of your hand
and eternity in an hour.
~William Blake
| Graphic: the 'net |
| The snow goose need not bathe to make itself white. Neither need you do anything but be yourself. ~Lao Tzu |
| Coffee (a parable) |
MorningStar for people
To submit comments, requests or materials,
contact me at outreach@dawncoveabbey.org
contact me at outreach@dawncoveabbey.org
For empowerment workshops, seminars and lectures, see: http://www.dawncoveabbey.org/healing-circle
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MorningStar Inspiration from Dawn Cove Abbey
Article, haiku, humour and poem contributions are welcomed, and gratefully received
Layout & Design by DawnStar
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MorningStar Inspiration from Dawn Cove Abbey
Article, haiku, humour and poem contributions are welcomed, and gratefully received
Layout & Design by DawnStar
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