Much of the stress, pain and unhappiness of modern society is caused by one thing, a cup.

This cup is beautiful, shining, covered with gems. 

It represents the ideal life promised in popular culture.

They (the departmental store in heaven) mails you this cup at birth.

When you finally get around to opening the package, you discover that they have sent you the wrong cup.

This cup is not beautiful, shining nor are there any gems in sight.

It is just a cup.

You cannot believe that they sent you the wrong item.

You rage, you fight; you scream at God, your parents, everyone.

Once you are calm again, you do everything in your power to find the cup you were supposed to get.

As you search futilely for this cup, you find yourself comparing your cup to other's cups.

It seems everyone's cup is better than your cup -- which makes you even madder.

You discover religion.

They tell you that you were sent the wrong cup because humanity has a black mark on its credit.

But if you give money and/or feel guilty and/or have faith, the beautiful cup will be given to you.

You continue to suffer, the cup is no where in sight.

Then it hits you; the cup you were sent is the only cup that you will ever have.

Your self-inflicted rage and pain were all for nothing.

The only thing you can do is drink from the cup you were given -- and be happy.