The Mayonnaise Jar and 2 Cups of Coffee

short read.
with meaning.
a email i recieved from my brother mike...

When things in your lives seem almost too much to
handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the
mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee.

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 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--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. Play with your children. Take time to get
medical checkups. Take your spouse 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 friend."

corny status.
but still oh so good.
thanks mike.

thanks to everyone that hung out this past week.
even if we barely hung out...it was good to see your face.
good times.
til next time..

xoxx