Sunday, April 25, 2010

The 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 start 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 it 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 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.
There will always be time to clean the house and fix the dripping tap.

'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.'

Note from Lucy: I have heard this story before, with just a little variation, but it is always nice to hear it again.... Have a great week everyone and remember to put your golf balls in first...

14 Comments:

At 10:12 AM, Blogger Granny Annie said...

I am pretty sure we could never hear this story enough times. Thanks!

 
At 7:53 PM, Blogger Renie Burghardt said...

Wise professor! Thanks for sharing, Lucy.

Have a great week as well.

 
At 11:22 AM, Anonymous Holly said...

Very nice! I have heard this before, too, but forgot it. Thanks for the reminder!

 
At 10:16 PM, Blogger Rachel said...

Very wish rules to follow Lucy! In our fast paced lives we sometimes forget.

 
At 11:13 AM, Blogger Big Dave T said...

I've heard that story as well. Perspective is a wonderful thing.

Hea, I saw on the news this week about this one lady who bought $167 worth of groceries, but after she turned in her coupons, she only had to pay 42 cents at checkout. Now that's frugal living. Wonder if she has a blog too.

 
At 1:20 AM, Blogger Jim said...

This is nice, Lucy! I lost my golf balls in the woods on the sides of the golf course where I was playing.
Now what?
..

 
At 3:06 PM, Blogger Lucy Stern said...

Jim, get another one....lol We live near a golf course and my son used to go out at night and collect up golf balls near the creek or out in the street... He would sell them to the driving range and get extra change that way....

 
At 8:11 AM, Blogger Oh great One said...

I like it! Good way to look at life.

 
At 6:11 AM, Blogger LZ Blogger said...

Lucy ~ I have heard this one before and have often considered its wisdom. Thanks for the reminder! ~ jb///

 
At 10:05 AM, Blogger Putz said...

i will substitue the coffee for water lucy, if that is ok

 
At 11:24 AM, Blogger Jim said...

Thank you for dropping over to cheer me up! To think, Mrs. Jim was pretty much sold on moving over to Katy to be closer to KP.

Trying to follow grown children can be hard. We will visit them in London, fairly soon!
..

 
At 9:51 AM, Blogger Ralph said...

Great story and true.
Ralph

 
At 2:00 PM, Blogger Cliff said...

Great story and thanks for reminding me of it. Particularly appropriate as I just had a salesman give me a dozen golf balls. I know they're part of my sand but they'll probably end up in the rough.

 
At 7:34 PM, Blogger Mountain Mama said...

Great story! It sure gives us something to think about, doesn't it?

 

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