like shooting stars

Monday, May 15, 2006

Life

The mayonnaise jar and coffee.

A professor stood before his philosophy class. A few items sat onthe desk in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked upa very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it withgolf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreedthat it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them intothe jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the openareas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jarwas full. They agreed that it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into thejar. Of course, the sand filled in around everything else. He asked oncemore if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous"Yes."

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the tableand poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling theempty space between the sand. The students laughed."

Now," said the professor as the laughter subsided, "I want you torecognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are themost important things -- God, your family, your children, your health,your friends and your favorite passions. If everything else were lost andonly they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are theother 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 noroom for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. Ifyou spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will neverhave room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to thethings that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children.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 fixthe disposal. Take care of the golf balls first -- the things thatreally matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffeerepresented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes toshow you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's alwaysroom for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cupsof coffee.

Please share this with someone you care about.