The Mayo Jar & Two Cups of Coffee

hearingimpared
hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
edited December 2006 in The Clubhouse
Replace golf balls with tubes or output transistors and this is really good.

The Mayonnaise Jar and 2 Cups of Coffee

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

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly 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 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 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 faith, your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions--and 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 and 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 spouse 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. 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."

Please share this with someone you care about. I JUST DID!


Live simply, Love generously, Care deeply,
Speak kindly, Leave the rest to God
Post edited by hearingimpared on

Comments

  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,480
    edited December 2006
    That does put things in perspective.

    Replace golf balls with tubes or output transistors and this is really good.

    I've seen one variation of that story. The professor pours in the sand and everyone agrees the jar is truly full. Joe,:D a student fron the back row, approcaches the professor with his book bag. He pulls out a can of beer, opens it, and pours the contents into the "full" jar. The moral of the story, "There is always room for beer.";)
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  • schwarcw
    schwarcw Posts: 7,335
    edited December 2006
    SCompRacer wrote:
    "There is always room for beer.";)

    Here! Here! Have another beer!
    Carl

  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited December 2006
    No thanks can't, it's a funny thing every time I drink I wake up in jail:eek:
  • Fireman32
    Fireman32 Posts: 4,845
    edited December 2006
  • cambir
    cambir Posts: 1,045
    edited December 2006
    Thanks for the reminder! :)
  • mrbigbluelight
    mrbigbluelight Posts: 9,667
    edited December 2006
    That was very nice.

    Sent that to the daughter and SIL (parents of the cutest grandson on the face of the planet).


    Thanks.

    :)
    Sal Palooza