THE MAYONNAISE JAR AND 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 that it was.

The professor then 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, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things ..... your God, family, children, your health, your friends, and your 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, your house, and your car. The sand is everything else .... the small stuff."

"If you put the sand into the jar first, there is no room for the pebbles and 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 partner 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 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."

Vickie,

Loved this piece! Full of wisdom, humor and intelligence...

Another one to print off for family.....

Vicki: Great insight. Thanks for sharing it!!!

Loved this one Vicki, sending it to my mom to share with the girls she works with...thanks!

Thanks Vicki...great reminder! Absolutely!

JJ

Very nice story. Just want to check, is it yours? If I share it on, is it correct to cite you as author?

Julie, I don't know who the author is... it's one of those things that circulates around the internet. I guess you can put "anonymous" or "unknown" as the author.

[ September 02, 2004, 10:28 AM: Message edited by: Vicki M. Taylor ]

Vicki, thanks for sharing. A past Director of Youth shared a similar visual with her Sunday School teachers, but she used rocks, stones, pebbles, and sand.

IT brings to mind this verse which I love:

Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
(somewhere in Matthew)