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 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 a unanimous "yes."
The professor 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.
2007-08-29 05:54:08 · 64 answers · asked by Jim 7 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Jokes & Riddles
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 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.
Play with your children.
Take time to get medical checkups.
Take your spouse out to dinner.
Play another 18.
2007-08-29 05:55:32 · update #1
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"
2007-08-29 05:56:07 · update #2
jim---you are terrific! the most wonderful way of looking at your whole life, if only i could get others to see things this way....especially my fiance. whom very critical and judgmental over things and other people, thank god for this t
heory!!!!!!!!!!!! vicki
here's another star for you!!!!!!!!!!!!
2007-09-01 23:18:06 · answer #1 · answered by vicki m 2 · 13⤊ 2⤋
"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 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.
2016-03-05 05:55:18 · answer #2 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I read this "parable" a couple years ago. It struck me then, that this was Zen, modernized.
I also thought; The class kept thinking that the jar was full.
People don't see the spaces around the golf balls, because they are in a hurry and they focus on material things.
There is a story about a man complaining that his house was too full and crowded with his relatives. A sage kept telling him to bring more things in, like animals, furniture, etc. He had to admit that that didn't solve his problem. When he emptied the house of the extra things, he saw that there was more than enough room for his relatives. He appreciated sharing his house with those he loved and who loved him.
Thanks for reminding me. Great story. C. :)!!
2007-08-29 10:30:12 · answer #3 · answered by Charlie Kicksass 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Things like this really help people get through the day!
2007-08-30 07:02:17 · answer #4 · answered by sugarcookie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
verrrrry gooooooooood, i shall giv u a twinklin star..or wud u prefer a golf ball. hee hee
wow u got alorra stars, alorra lorra stars, i wonder if i cud giv you another one?? let me go try. adious x
no i cudnt, worth a try
2007-08-29 08:19:42 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm emailing this to my dad right now.
He's gonna love it.
I'm probably gonna get a long lecture on it tho.
haha, doesn't matter. He's gonna like it.
Thanks for sharing.
*
2007-08-29 11:41:12 · answer #6 · answered by **Andie** 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nice!
2007-09-01 16:06:04 · answer #7 · answered by The Boy Next Door 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I absolutely love that. I've been trying to let someone important in my life that for the longest time. I care for him but his priorities are so off base. I always knew that other people believe in the mayonnaise theory. Sad thing is that they can never live by it - or don't give it a try.
Thanks
2007-08-29 06:03:31 · answer #8 · answered by carolynjlalena 3 · 3⤊ 4⤋
That was sooooooooo funny I almost fell from laughing so hard.
2007-08-31 12:13:20 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Awesome, you definitely earn a star!
2007-08-29 14:29:17 · answer #10 · answered by DanYell 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thank you Jim that was beautiful and makes one stop and think....sometimes we get caught up in life and do not realize we need to stop and re-evaluate...there is always room for more.......thank you
2007-08-29 06:54:18 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋