Guest guest Posted May 19, 2004 Report Share Posted May 19, 2004 >The Mayonnaise Jar and the 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 coffee: > >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 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 -- your 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 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 holes. >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. " I'm >glad you asked, " he said. " It just goes to show you >that no matter how full your life may seem, there's >always room for a cup of coffee with a friend. " > >Have a Great Day, Friend! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2004 Report Share Posted May 20, 2004 Jeanne - that was wonderful! Sherry jbmistletoe@... wrote: >The Mayonnaise Jar and the 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 coffee: > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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