Fwd: Let's do coffee...

[dwgm]

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 two cups of 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 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 cups of coffee from under the table and poured the liquid 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, family, children, health, friends, and 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, house, and 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."

"So...

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. 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."


~.~

Comments

[elissali.livejournal.com]

aww, that's a pretty cute forward!

[drk-prncss.livejournal.com]

I always liked that one. I think I need to print that one out. thanks mama

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

I thought so too!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

You're welcome. I've heard it before, too, but it bears repeating.

[lizzie-omalley.livejournal.com]

I have heard variations of that one but I really adore the cup of coffee twist to the end.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Me too! We should all go for some Starbucks. :)

[yoiebear.livejournal.com]

Thanks! You know, that puts some stuff in my life into perspective. So much sand, I wish I had a Starbucks for coffee...

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

I love that analogy -- it's so simple, so easy to understand, and so very true.

Gosh, we have like SIX Starbucks in our little town. You have none? I find that rather mind boggling.

[yoiebear.livejournal.com]

I live in the middle of nowhere. Seriously. I have to drive at least 2 hours in pretty much any direction to reach a Starbucks. I hate it. Starbucks is one of the treats I give myself for going to the doctors in Morgantown. Yes, it takes me three hours to get there, but I look forward to a huge coffee and Barnes and Noble. LOL

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Wow. I'm about 45 miles from downtown L.A., so there's action whenever we want it. Nice living where it's quieter, though. But yeah, Starbucks is sort of a major food group around here. *G*

[dressagespirit.livejournal.com]

The closest Starbucks to us is in an Albertson's grocery store and is 70 miles away. I haven't seen a Barnes and Noble in more than 2 years. There is a Borders book store, but it's in Rapid City, SD, which is a good 2.5/3 hour drive. Needless to say, we order a lot of stuff online. Quite a change from when I lived in Boston. LOL

Thanks for the neat post. :-)

[yoiebear.livejournal.com]

It would be in my world if I lived closer to one. Now you know why I want to get the hell away from here. I have to go to Columbus, Dayton, Morgantown, Cleveland or Pittsburg for a damn coffee fix (Starbucks, that is).
If you don't mind me asking, where exactly do you live? I have a friend that lives outside of L.A., for the life of me I can't remember what town, though. It starts with a "C."

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Commented at your journal as I didn't want to flock this.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

I expect your new location has many things that compensate for a lack of Starbucks. ;)

[yoiebear.livejournal.com]

I completely understand! I replied and gave you my e-mail address

[dressagespirit.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I certainly don't miss car alarms. And seeing stars from horizon to horizon is pretty cool. Today, on a drive, I saw antelope, a fox, a badger, and a red tail hawk. The wildfire was pretty scary, but I understand they have those in your area. I hope you and yours are safe.

[hendercats.livejournal.com]

Oh! Have seen this before, but with rocks instead of golf balls and water instead of coffee, and it was used as a time-management illustration only. Like this version MUCH better because of the coffee and what it represents! *hugs*

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Yes, wouldn't it be nice if we could meet for coffee? Such a long commute. But at least we have the internet, which is a blessing.