The Mayonnaise Jar

Last week my precious sister sent me this little story. You may have read it before ... but every time I read it, it makes me smile with perspective. 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.

The story ...

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 started 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.'