Really Good Philosophy

The Mayonnaise Jar and the 2 Cups of Coffee
>>>
>>>When things in your life 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 that 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--God, 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 a friend."
>>>
>>>
>>>>>
>>