[OFB Cafe] A Gentle Reminder in this Silly Season...

[Donald R Spoon]

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 Beers...

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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.'

Please share this with someone you care about.. I JUST DID