Stories can move us and change our state of mind.
That’s how powerful stories can be.
Not long ago, on a day when I had started to feel overwhelmed by too many deadlines, I came across this anonymous lovely story. As soon as I read it, I saw the wisdom in it. I could immediately come back to my center, see things more clearly, from a different perspective and reconnect to what really matters.
“A group of successful alumni decided to get together to visit their old university professor. After they all reunited, the conversation soon turned into complaints about work, relationships and life.
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.
When all of his old students had picked a cup, the professor said: “Did you notice? You have all taken the nice-looking, expensive cups, and the plain and cheap ones were left behind. While it is, of course, normal for you to want only the best looking things for yourselves, that can also be the source of much of your dissatisfaction, problems and stress.
It’s important to know that the cup itself adds no real quality to the coffee. In most cases it is just chosen because it’s perceived to be more special or expensive. What all of you really wanted was to experience the coffee, not the cup, but you unconsciously went for the best cups. Some of you tried to get the best cup first or began eyeing each other’s cups to see if yours was nice enough.
Now consider this: Life is a bit like the cup of coffee. The jobs, money possessions and position in society are the cups. They are just tools and structures that contain or hold together the current story of your life. The type of cup we have does not define, or change the quality of life we live. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee.
Here is my advice to you – Savor the coffee, not the cups! What you really want is to be happy and the happiest people don’t have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.
So, live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly….and you will live a full life .”
Reconnecting to what is really important in our lives, removes the superfluous veil blinding our vision, and brings clarity to the essential nature of what is driving our lives: the constant search for happiness.
This is such a poignant analogy. What it looks like is often more important to people than the substance. Making the best of what is on hand is a skill and a habit that brings contentment.
“…happiest people don’t have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.”
This is so simple yet so powerful. I would pick a handmade cup to see how the potter created it. But this story is not about coffee or mugs. Find the joy, smell the smells, pet the dogs and breathe.
Form over function. Beauty over substance. Power over satisfaction or kindness. Pretty much explains the world right now.
Exactly. Thank you for your insight, Lynda!!
Great article! I really enjoyed your breakdown of different brewing methods—it’s super informative for coffee enthusiasts like me. I also write about coffee on my site, especially focusing on specific topic, e.g., ‘sustainable coffee farming practices’ or ‘unique coffee recipes’. If you’re interested, feel free to check it out here: caffeinatedinsights.com/ Keep up the awesome work!”
Thank you, Khan!! Im going to check out your website. Im very interested in finding organic coffee that has been mycotoxin tested. So far, I have tried Vita Cup and I really like it. Have you tried it?