The Mayonnaise Jar

Nannyp · Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2007 11:31 pm Post subject: The Mayonnaise Jar

Mayonnaise Jar

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle,
when 24 hours in a day is not enough,remember the mayonnaise jar
and 2 cups of 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.
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 - God, family, children, health, friends, and 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, house, and 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 areImportant to you.

So...
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 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."

dingsy · Site Admin Joined: 11 Feb 2007 Posts: 2106 Location: Devon

Very good-apt and I rather like the final twist!

Hecateh · Foundation Stone Joined: 10 Feb 2007 Posts: 2006

When I saw it it was a pint of beer that went in last - but the principle is so very true. How often do we get caught up with the 'immediate' things that the really important things go out the window!
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Guest · Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 11:35 am Post subject:

I've got goosebumps! Thank you for sharing that, very true, very profound.

patweb · Pioneer Joined: 11 Feb 2007 Posts: 768 Location: Glasgow

Good one Kathy.

angelfruit · Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 6:06 pm Post subject:

Wow Kathy - must be having a bad day - blarting like a billygoat now x
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Nannyp · Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 10:25 pm Post subject:

With the boards all changing, I have been catching up with some old threads.

I love this one and am pleased to see it again