The Mayonnaise Jar and 2 Beers
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 the 2 Beers.
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had
some items in front of him. When the class began, he
wordlessly 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 an unanimous 'yes.'
The professor then produced two Beers 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 and your
favorite passions---and 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, 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. Spend time with your children Spend time with
your parents. Visit with grandparents. Take time to get
medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play
another 18 holes.
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
Beer represented. The professor smiled and said, 'I'm
glad you asked.' The Beer just shows you that no matter
how full your life may seem, there's always room for a
couple of Beers with a friend.'
Original Post
Very good, very good indeed.
