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TUG Member
I don't know who wrote this but it can help put things into perspective...
When things in your life seem almost too much to handle,
when 24 hours in a day is not enough
remember this recycled story:
"The Mayonnaise Jar and Two 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. 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.'
When things in your life seem almost too much to handle,
when 24 hours in a day is not enough
remember this recycled story:
"The Mayonnaise Jar and Two 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. 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.'
