REFLECTIONS ON LIFE

A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor. Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life. Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the 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 -- telling them to help themselves to the coffee. When all the students had a cup of coffee 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 normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. Be assured that the cup itself 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 t...

There was a king who had four wives. He loved the fourth wife the most, he gave her the best c lothes and bought her any exercise machines she asked for. He also loved her third wife very much. She was very beautiful, so he always showed her off to his friends; however he was afraid that someday she could go with another man. He loved his second wife, too. She was a very nice person, always patient and his confidant. When he had problems she helped him. The King’s first wife was a very loyal partner and had made great contributions in maintaining his wealth and kingdom. However, the king did not love the first wife and although she really loved him, he hardly took notice of her. One day, the king fell ill. Before long, he knew that he was going to die soon. He thought of his luxurious life and told himself, "Now I have four wives with me. But when I die, I'll be alone. How lonely I'll be!" He asked the fourth wife, "I loved you most, I ha...