My aunt forwarded this story to me. I actually liked it, and I thought
that I would post it. I'm usually not a fan of forwards, but I'll
let it slide this time. As a disclaimer, the story is written from a
humanistic perspective. Then again, so is Bambi. Please just enjoy the
story for what it is....blow away the chaff, hold on to the wheat, and
have a good read.
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.
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." | 
