Friday, November 9, 2007

Hot Chocolate


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 hot chocolate, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of hot chocolate and an assortment of cups -porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain-looking, some expensive and some exquisite - telling them to help themselves to the chocolate. After all the students had a cup of chocolate 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 but normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems andstress. Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the chocolate. In most cases, it's just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink." "What all of you really wanted was chocolate, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups...and then began eyeing each other'scups." "Now consider this: Life is the chocolate, and the jobs, houses, cars, things, 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 chocolate that has been provided to us." Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections. Live in peace ...and peace will live in you.

8 comments:

Unknown said...

So what does that make me? I won't drink out of plastic but would prefer a cheap stoneware cup. None of that fancy china. (I have a set of china and have never used the coffee cups, LOL).

BitsOScrap said...

I'm the same way too. I prefer my coffee cup that I have had for 14 years now. It's got a picture of some goofy looking "people" that look like Alf with the big honkin nose....they are all in their cubicles working the daily grind and the title on the cup says "This Place Sucks". I don't think I have ever gone for the frilly girly stuff, that's just me though. On the go, I take my Dixie cups with a lid on it. If it had chocolate in it, I would probably go for the BIGGEST cup, not the prettiest. lol!
Great post BTW, very wise professor!

SherryD said...

Love the story! Wonderful blog header too. Can't wait to see what else you've got on here today. Hugs

Anonymous said...

I'd go for the biggest mug to hold the most hot chocolate! LOL I'd also be afraid to take an antique or expensive looking cup because I'd be scared I'd drop it and break it.
Thanks for an awesome, thought provoking site, Derek! Barb

Anonymous said...

I *so* needed to read this today! Thanks for the inspiration and a great start to my day.

Dracowin said...

I've read this story before and always enjoy it. Its a good reminder to pay attention to what's really important.
Thank you!

Lois B said...

Wonderful food for thought. Thank you for sharing

xashee's corner said...

absolutely WONDERFUL and thank you so much for sharing!! Have a GREAT day! :D