A Lesson Learned From A Mayonnaise Jar And Two Beers

by Bonnie Boots

Working on the internet is often overwhelming. There's always more to know, more to learn and more to do than seems possible.

When you're feeling overwhelmed, when it seems almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember this story of the mayonnaise jar and the two beers.

A professor stood before his philosophy class with a few simple items on the table before him.

He picked up a very large, 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 the last remaining little spaces.

 He asked once more if the jar was full.
The students responded with a unanimous 'Yes.'

The professor then produced two bottles of beer from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, 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.  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 and your other possessions."

"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 holes."

"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."

 

 
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