Saturday, May 30, 2009

just something to think about

Subject: Mayonnaise jar and 2 cups of coffee


The Mayonnaise Jar and 2 Cups of Coffee

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours
in a
day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of
coffee.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in
front of
him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and
empty
mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked
the
students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the
jar He
shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between
the golf
balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed
it
was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar.
Of
course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the
jar was
full. The students responded with an unanimous 'yes.'

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and
poured
the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space
between
the sand. The students laughed.

'Now,' said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to
recognize
that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important
things---your family, your children, your health, your friends and your
favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they
remained,
your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house
and
your car.

The sand is everything else---the small stuff. 'If you put the sand into
the
jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf
balls.
The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the
small
stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.


'Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Spend
time
with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with
grandparents.
Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play
another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the
disposal.
Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter. Set
your
priorities. The rest is just sand.'

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee
represented.
The professor smiled and said, 'I'm glad you asked.'

The coffee just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem,
there's
always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.'

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