The mayonnaise jar and the beer

[Guest guest]

This is sooo true, I think you all will enjoy this.

When things in your life seem almost to much to

handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough,

remember the mayonnaise jar........and the beer.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and

had some items in front of him. When the class

began, wordlessly, he 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. So 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 cans of beer 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, your favorite passions--things that 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,

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. Take

time to get medical checkups. Take your partner 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 beer 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 beers. "

Jeana