If you've been reading my blog, you may have noticed that hot chocolate has been playing a prominent role in my search for contentment and happiness! So I was quite tantilized with a beautiful email from my friend over at The Spices of Life about that very subject. Oh - I'm dreaming of a steaming cup of it right now!Anyway, "The Wisdom in Hot Chocolate" essay in that email has a lot to say about contentment, and since it is listed as "Author Unknown," I thought I'd take the liberty of sharing it with you right here on my blog:
A group of graduates, well 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 turned to complaints about stress in their work and lives.
Offering his guests hot chocolate, the professor went into the kitchen and returned with a large pot of hot chocolate and an assortment of cups — porcelain, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite. He then told them all to help themselves to the hot chocolate.
When they each had a cup of hot chocolate in hand, the professor said:"Notice that all the nice looking, expensive cups were taken, 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.
"The cup that you're drinking from adds nothing to the quality of the hot chocolate. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink.
"What all of you really wanted was hot chocolate, 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 hot chocolate; your job, money and position in society are the cups.They are just tools to hold and contain life.
"The cup you have does not define, nor change the quality of life you have. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the hot chocolate."
The happiest people don't need the best of everything.They just make the best of everything that they have.
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly.
And enjoy your hot chocolate!!
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12 comments:
How odd, I have received that via email before and I love it. and I DO keep a few chipped old mugs in the cupboard and htink of that email whenever I use one. Thanks so much for the reminder.
Wow, this is one of the most profound things I've seen in awhile. I am going to have to save it and re-read it. Such truth...so glad you posted it!
You know... That was the best metaphor ever. Thank you so much *
This is perfect! I love hot chocolate too! I always put mine in whatever mug is clean... Ü
I love the part in the Indiana Jones The Last Crusade... where they are looking for the cup of Christ... and they all imagine that it will be the fanciest gold bejeweled grail... however the actual cup of Christ was plain.
That is what this parable of the 'hot chocolate' reminds me of.
Thank you for sharing!
ToOdLeS.ShEiLA
Oh, thank you! This is a great reminder!
there was a time that i would have picked "pretty"... now, i just enjoy the hot chocolate:)
thank you for sharing your email, j!!!
love,
dani
That was great...nice reminder what is important.
Very cool and a good reminder. I always go for the biggest but most homey kind of mug for hot chocolate, and it makes sense here. :)
That was a cool analogy. I liked that. I also want a nice creamy cup of hot chocolate now.
What an excellent metaphor. I love this. I love hot chocolate too:)
That was great! And I agree...hot chocolate is awesome stuff!
It touched my heart as well. May God continue to prod each of us on gently in our journeys to contentment, and help us to truly appreciate all of the simple blessings He gives us throughout our days.
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