The Mayonnaise Jar and 2 CUPS OF COFFEE = Your life

@mari61960 (4893)
United States
March 14, 2007 1:17pm CST
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 e 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 are important 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." I got this today in an email and just had to pass it on..what do you think of it?
2 people like this
7 responses
• United States
14 Mar 07
Something that I am certainly gonna have to print out and keep close by for a little reminder. I believe this statement has a lot of truth to it. Sometimes we let our lives consume us, and in turn we end up forgetting about the really important things in our lives. Thanks for sharing that, it really brought a smile to my face.
@mari61960 (4893)
• United States
14 Mar 07
I got it in an email today...and found it quite inspirational. I just had to pass it on. We all need a little reminder sometimes to keep us going...lol
• United States
21 Mar 07
What an inspiration, an awesome post my friend. Thank you for taking the time to write this out for all of us to read, and apply to our lives more. God loves you, M&M
1 person likes this
@mari61960 (4893)
• United States
22 Mar 07
I'm glad you enjoyed it. I got it from my mom.
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
21 Mar 07
Mari61960, I can truly say that I enjoyed this bit of wisdom and I will take it and remember it. It is something we all should sit down and ponder. Are we putting the sand and pebbles first. alot of us are and I can see things need to be changed I loved this and I am going to forward it all on to my friends and family and hope that they will enjoy it as much as I have. Thanks Mari for posting this.
@mari61960 (4893)
• United States
22 Mar 07
My pleasure, I'm glad you enjoyed it. It certainly did make me think..lol
• United States
14 Mar 07
I think it is quite true and what a great way of getting the points across.
@crazynurse (7482)
• United States
19 Mar 07
Mari, I can't thank you enough for posting this. I do believe in divine intervention and strangly, the post has been up for 5 days and I have missed it. That is because I was meant to see it today. I NEEDED to see it today. I don't want to elaborate, but do know that your post helped!
1 person likes this
@mari61960 (4893)
• United States
20 Mar 07
Well I am ever so glad it found you...I hope you have a better day. I agree some things are just meant to be. God Bless. Mari
@AskAlly (3625)
• Canada
15 Mar 07
I have read this before and it is so true. Live life to the fullest. I think people often forget that this is not a trail run....It is the real thing. Life is happening now. Live, Love Laugh.
1 person likes this
@mari61960 (4893)
• United States
15 Mar 07
You're right..we only get one chance. We may as well make the best of it...
• United States
14 Mar 07
Simply awesome...and I definitely won't mind passing this message on. There are so many people, myself included that can benefit from this very incredible illustration. What did the old folks say...don't sweat the small stuff!!!...Thanks...SS