Sometimes people come into our lives and we know right away that they were meant to be there, to serve some purpose, whether it is to teach us a lesson, or to help us figure out who we are or who we want to become. Sometimes things happen to us that seem horrible, painful or unfair, but on reflection we find that, without overcoming those obstacles, we would never have realised our potential, strength, willpower or heart.
The people we meet who affect our lives, the success and downfalls we experience, help to create who we are and who we become. If someone loves you, give love back to them in whatever way you can, not only because they love you, but because they are teaching you how to open your heart and eyes to things.
If someone hurts you, betrays you, or breaks your heart, forgive them, for they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious to whom you open your heart.
Make every day count. Appreciate every moment and take from those moments everything you possibly can, for you may never be able to experience it again. Talk to people that you have never talked to before and listen to what they have to say. Another story from my Nana Scully’s prayer book might throw a little light on the subject.
Life is like a cup of tea
A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old college professor. Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life.
Offering his guests tea, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of tea and an assortment of cups—porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal—some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite. He told his guests to help themselves to the tea.
When everyone had a cup of tea in their hand, the professor said, “Have you noticed all the nice looking, expensive cups have been 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 adds no quality to the tea. In most cases, it is just more expensive, and in some cases, even hides what we drink.”
“What all of you really wanted was tea. But you consciously went for the best cups. And then you began eyeing each other’s cups, to see who had the best one.”
“Now consider this: life is the tea. The jobs, 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 the life we live.”
Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the tea.
The happiest people in my circle don’t have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.
Live simply. Speak kindly. Care deeply. Love generously.
Thought for the week
As your thought for the week, look at ways you can bring peace and joy into people’s lives and try as much as you can to live a life of dee love and care. And always try to make the best of everything life throws at you.
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- Ronan Scully
