Food for Thought

I found this while packing...maybe it was left for me to find?  But I thought I would share because I found it very thought provoking.

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 beer.  A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front og him.  When 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 it was.

So 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.  Then he asked the class 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 unanimous "yes."

The professor then produced two cans of beer 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 family, your children, your health, your friends, your favorite passions--things that if everyting 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, 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.  Spend time with those you love.  Take time to get medical checkups.  Take your spouse out to dinner.  Spend time with old friends.  Play another 18.  There will 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 beer represented.  The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked.  It just goes to show that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of beers."

Have a good day taking care of your golf balls.

;)

P.S I forgot to thank one person who was a great help during the move.  My good friend (you know who you are) who spent an entire afternoon, of her own free will, preping and cleaning the house the Thursday before we started to paint.  Thank you.  You always prove yourself to be an amazing friend.