2 cups of Coffee

[Guest guest]

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 a 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---God, 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. Play 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 priorities. The rest is just sand. "

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee

Represented. The professor smiled. " I'm glad you asked. "

It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's

Always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend. "