The Mayonaise Jar

Thanks Marna for sharing.

When things in your life seemAlmost 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 largeand empty mayonnaise jarAnd proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the studentsIf 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 openAreas between the golf balls. He then askedThe students againIf 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 producedTwo cups of coffee from under the tableAnd 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 thatThis jar represents your life.

The golf balls are the important things - God, family, children, health,Friends, and Favorite passions -- Things that if everything else waslost 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 forThe pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life.If you spend all your timeAnd energy on the small stuff,You will never have room forThe things that areImportant to you. So...Pay attention to the thingsThat 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 houseAnd 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 handAnd 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 withSomeone you care about.I JUST DID.