What Are You Carrying Today?

The Buddhist monk held up a coffee cup. His students gathered around, curious.

"Imagine you're walking with this cup filled with coffee," he began. "Someone bumps into you. Coffee spills everywhere. Why did the coffee spill?"

Every student answered: "Because someone bumped into me."

The monk smiled. "No. The coffee spilled because coffee was in the cup. If water had been there, water would have spilled." He paused. "When life bumps you—and it will—whatever you're carrying inside will spill out."

"If you carry anger, jealousy, or fear, that's what spills when pressure comes. But if you carry love, compassion, and peace, that's what emerges instead." He set the cup down. "So ask yourself: what am I carrying today?"

What will be your reaction if someone bumps into you?