Saturday, August 22, 2009

Consider this today.

I am posting an article that I think is "right on" and hope you will also. Give some time to read it and let me know what you think.

ONLY ONE LIFE TO LIVE

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day not enough is, 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 students responded with a 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.
• Listen when your mate speaks to you; really listen.
• Be a friend to someone who needs a friend.
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."

4 comments:

Monica said...

Good post - I would certainly have time for a cup of coffee with you. . . if only we were a bit closer! Love you!

Daystar said...

Mom, this was awesome...TOTALLY AWESOME...how I would love to sit down for a cup of coffee and just catch up on everything. I love your blog and will be a frequent follower. I love you, mom!

Rachel said...

This is awesome Mom! I thought how cool it would be to do this demonstration for my college students...they would love it! You know I don't drink coffe but we can go and YOU can have the coffe and I will have the tea... :)

Keep writing! It is a great stress releaser!!


Love,

Rachel

Rachel said...

Coffee is spelled with TWO Es and not ONE as I wrote in my previous comment... I hate typo's... :)