An Inspirational Story

I received this little story the other day and thought it was worth sharing. I have seen other versions similar to this, but this particular version is my favourite:

The Mayonnaise Jar and 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 teacher stood before his 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 it was.

He picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar and shook the jar lightly so the pebbles could roll into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The teacher 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 teacher 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 teacher as the laughing 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 favourite 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 and grandchildren
* Spend time with your parents
* Visit with grandparents
* Take time to get medical checkups
* Take your spouse out to dinner
* Play another 18 holes of golf.”

“There will always be time to clean the house and fix the things that need fixing. Take care of the golf balls first – the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.”

A student raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The teacher smiled and said, “I’m glad you asked.”

“The coffee just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.”

Author unknown

Great story, eh? Now you’ll have to excuse me because I've made a date to go out for coffee with my husband and our friends. I like to think I have my priorities straight!!

Until next time …….
~ B-Optimistic ~