A Mayonnaise Jar and 2 Cups of Coffee

When things in your life seem almost too much toohandle, 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 hadsome items in front of him.When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a verylarge and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fillit with golf balls. He then asked the students if thejar was full.

They agreed that it was.The professor then picked up a box of pebbles andpoured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly.The pebbles rolled into the open areas between thegolf balls. He then asked the students again if thejar was full they agreed it was.The professor next picked up a box of sand and pouredit into the jar .

Of course, the sand filled upeverything else. He asked once more if the jar wasfull. The students responded with a unanimous "yes."The professor then produced two cups of coffee fromunder the table and poured the entire contents intothe jar, effectively filling the empty space betweenthe sand.

The students laughed."Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided,"I want you to recognize that this jar representsyour life. The golf balls are the important things-your God, family, your children, your health, yourfriends, and your favourite passions--things that ifeverything else was lost and only they remained yourlife would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like yourjob, 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 timeand energy on the small stuff, you will never haveroom for the things that are important to you.Pay attention to the things that are critical to yourhappiness.

Play with your children. Take time toGet medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner.Play another 18. There will always be time to cleanthe house and fix the disposal."Take care of the golf balls first -- the things thatreally matter.

Set your priorities. The rest is justsand."One of the students raised her hand and inquired whatthe coffee represented.The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It justgoes to show you that no matter how full your life mayseem, there's always room for a couple of cups ofcoffee with a friend."

excerpt from an email received from Tholits