Knowing what is important

I received this from a friend and thought I would pass it on. I like it.

THE MAYONNAISE JAR AND COFFEE


When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24
hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar... and
the 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 recognise that this jar represents your life.

The golf balls are the important things. Your family, your
children, Your faith, your health, your friends, and your
favourite 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.

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 partner out to dinner Play another 18. 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.'

Thanks for being a friend! Drop me a note if you want to have a cup of coffee, even if it is a virtual one over the internet.

Cal