I read a short story recently:

~

"Life is like a cup of coffee."

A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, gathered together to visit their old university professor. The conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life. The professor went into his 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. He told his guests to help themselves to the coffee. After everyone had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said:

"If 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 coffee. In most cases, it is just more expensive, and in some cases, even hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup. But you consciously went for the best cups, and then, you began eyeing each other's cups to see who got the best one. Now consider this...Life is the coffee; 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 life we live. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee. Savour the coffee, not the cups! The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything."

~

It ends with phrases such as "Live simply. Care deeply. Love generously." It reminded me of how life for us has been consumed by materialism. Christmas is still somewhat about "giving", but it's more about the spending and displaying how much you can afford to spend.

So to help others in a meaningful way and discover the true meaning of Christmas this holiday season, please donate to charity: water!

Thanks & God bless!

:)
Liz