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 beer.
 
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. 
 
So 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 a
unanimous "yes. "
 
The professor then produced two cans of beer 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, 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, 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 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 beer 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 beers. "

Author Unknown.

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