A professor one evening had a meeting for
Some of his former students to see how they were
Doing out in the real world. He wanted to see
How much they had succeeded at being happy.
Are they all living the life that they would prefer?
All about their lives now he wanted to know more.

They each told him their stories. “I’m not doing well.
I can’t get that promotion. The harder I try
To achieve what I’m after, the more I’m let down.
I get through my days typically with a frown.
Sometimes while I’m at work I could break down and cry.”
Not a single one had a good story to tell.

So the professor said, “You all seem to be stressed.”
He provided them coffee and several cups
To choose from. Some were plain and some were elegant.
What he said to them next was very important.
Knowing that stress has to do with mental hangups,
It was a bit of wisdom he clearly expressed.

“You all picked the nice looking cups leaving behind
The plain looking ones, but the cup gives no value
To the coffee it’s holding. You want the coffee –
Not the cup. If you want to be truly happy
Care about what’s of value. The more that you do
Then the more success and happiness you will find.”