With all the cruelty and nastiness going on in the world is it frivolous to play? Kurt Vonnegut would say it’s feeding our soul — is that too self-centered/selfish? Hugh Prather asked this question years ago in his How to Live in This World and Still Be Happy. His conclusion: No, it isn’t selfish to be happy. It was the only way he knew to be kind.
I think Thich Nhat Hahn would agree with that. Here’s a story he told:
A Buddhist monk asked his students a question, “If you’re carrying a cup of coffee and someone bumps into you, why did you spill the coffee?”
Each and every one of his students said because someone bumped into me.
“No, the reason why you spilled the coffee is because that’s what you were carrying in your cup. If you were carrying water, you would have spilled water.”
Then he said something profound.
“Whenever life shakes you, whatever you’re carrying is going to spill out. So if you’re carrying fear, jealousy, anger, greed, that’s what’s going to spill out. But if you’re carrying love, compassion, kindness, empathy, that’s what’s going to spill out.
Each and every day, you should pause and think to yourself, What am I carrying in my cup today?”
February 8, 2026
Beautiful reflection. This coffee cup story reminds me that play and joy refill us with love, so when life bumps us, kindness spills out instead of anger. Choosing happiness is compassion.
Its great blog post my friend
Thank you.
This post is literally so beautiful and it totally made me realize I need to fill my cup with something way better than just math homework stress! What are you filling your cup with for the weekend because I definitely want some of that happy energy too! Have the best weekend ever and you are totally invited to read my new travel post at http://www.melodyjacob.com
Thank you. I hope you had a great weekend too.
…life takes the youth out of you!
Yes!
That is such a beautiful way of looking at it. I sure hope I’m carrying good things in my cup. And I don’t think it’s at all selfish to play and find happiness. If you aren’t happy and feeling positive you can’t pass that on to others.
Yes!
I can’t say I’m happy but I am making an effort to appreciate my life.
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Smart buddhist! You can only share what you have. So go play and be happy!
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This is a terrific story. The post also reminds me so much of The Mad Snapper.
Me too!
Good reflection
🙂
What a great day-starter!
🙂
I really liked that.
Thank you. I’m glad!
I especially love the last two paragraphs!!! Amen…yes!!!
🙂