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 two cups of coffee.
A professor stood before his philosophy class and has some items in front of him. When the class began, he picked up a large empty jar and without a word, proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked his students if the jar was full. They agree that is was.
The professor 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 that is 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 a unanimous "yes"
He then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured them both 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: you family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions, things that if everything else was lost and only they remained your life would still be full.
-The pebbles are other things that matter: your job, your house, your car.
-The sand is everything else: the small stuff.
"If you put the sand into the jar first" he continued, "there is not 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 stuff that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take your partner out to dinner. Take time to get medical checkups. 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 professoe smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you no matter how full your life may seem, there is always room for a couple cups of coffee with a friend!"
