Your Need To Know

This story circulated through e-mails quite a bit last year, but for those of you who may not have read it, I have posted it here.

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 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 in to 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 that it was.

The professor 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 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. 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 – God, 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 in life that matter like your job, your house, and your car.”

“The sand is everything else – the small stuff. If you put the sand in the jar first, 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. Spend time with your parents. Visit your grandparents. Take time to get medical check ups. 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 coffee represented. The professor smiled and said, “I’m glad you asked.”

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

 Gina

Just a little food for thought:

You are driving along in your car on a wild, stormy night. As you approach a bus stop, and you see three people waiting for the bus:

1. An elderly lady who looks as if she is about to die.

2. An old friend who once saved your life.

3. The perfect man (or woman) of your dreams.

To which one would you choose to offer a ride, knowing that there could be only one passenger in your car.

Think before you continue reading. This is a moral and ethical dilemma.

You could pick up the elderly lady, because she is going to die, and thus you should save her first.

-Or-

You could take the old friend because he once saved your life, for which you owe him a great debt, and this would be the perfect chance to pay him back.

However, you may never be able to find your perfect dream lover again.

Best reply:

“I would give the car keys to my old friend, and let him take the lady to the hospital.

I would stay behind and wait for the bus with the man (or woman) of my dreams.”

Never forget to “Think Outside of the Box.”

Gina

Technorati Tags:Inspiration, Motivation 

 A Timeshare May Be Just What The Doctor Ordered
By Mel Borins, M.D.

When it comes to what ails you, Mel Borins, M.D., a leading authority on Complimentary and Alternative Medicine is likely to recommend…a timeshare vacation.  The author of “Go Away: Just for the Heath of It,” Dr. Borins is an authority on the medical benefits of vacationing and a foremost proponent of the health advantages of timesharing.

According to recent data, Americans took 10 percent less vacation time in 2003 than they did during the previous year – an average of 8.1 days – which is less than any other industrialized nation in the world.

Results from one study showed that women who vacation at least twice a year have a 50 percent less chance of dying of heart disease compared with those who don’t take vacations.  Likewise, men who take more frequent vacations reduce their risk of dying of heart disease by almost 30 percent.

This alarming trend and compelling research has Americans working towards a health crisis.  Vacations of a week or longer can provide both a mental and physical break that doctors believe reduces stress and restores health.

In his role as staff member of St. Joseph’s Health Center and faculty member of the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto,  Dr. Borins encourages people to maximize their available vacation time as part of a healthy lifestyle.

“To ensure I use my vacation time,” said Dr. Borins, “I became a timeshare owner and joined a timeshare exchange program to help create a structure for vacationing in my life that ensures I take at least one seven-day vacation every year.”

The top five reasons timeshare vacations are healthy:

Reason #1.  Gotta Get Away
As our hectic lives wear us down, it is imperative to take time to recharge our batteries and get off the treadmill of our lives, according to Dr. Borins.  Because the commitment has been made up front, timeshare owners are much more likely to take their pre-paid vacations.  And research indicates timeshare owners are more likely to take longer and more frequent vacations.

Reason #2.  No Surprises!
Unmet expectations can ruin a vacation and add to stress, especially when a vacation is filled with unwanted surprises.  The majority of timeshare owners (80 percent) cite the certainty of getting quality accommodations as a prime appeal of vacation ownership.

Reason #3.  Home Away from Home
Vacations rejuvenate the body, mind, and spirit, but some people may be concerned that eating in restaurants day after day may lead to weight gain.  Timeshares offer all the conveniences of home while on vacation, including full kitchens that can accommodate special dietary needs and help people stay on their diets. 

Reason #4.  Comfortably Close
More than 80% of timeshare resorts offer two or three-bedroom units, which can enhance family togetherness with extra living space, while separate bedrooms accommodate individual schedules, preferences, and privacy.

Reason #5.  The Healthy Social Butterfly
According to a study by Flinders University in Australia, having a network of friends and being social is as beneficial for good health as diet and exercise.   As a timeshare owner and RCI member, you belong to a community of more than three million members, who interact with each other both online and in person, sharing vacation stories and photos, and the common language of timesharing and timeshare exchange.

“Taking a vacation is one of the best ways I know to break the pattern of daily stress,” said Borins.  “Don’t wait until you face a serious illness before you re-evaluate your life – Go away, just for the health of it.”

The above article was published at SelfGrowth.com.  As a timeshare owner myself at Westgate Resorts in Orlando, this struck a chord with me and I can relate to much of what Dr. Borins is saying.   I simply love having the accommodations for my vacations totally taken care of and worry free.  

After launching this web site, I decided to participate in Westgate’s Owner Referral Program.  As an owner, I receive rewards points for those taking advantage of a discounted vacation stay.  Of course, the purpose of this promotion is to introduce you to Westgate Resorts and solicit sales of timeshare periods.   This may or may not be for you, but your only obligation is to listen to their 90-minute presentation.  In exchange, you can stay at one of nine fabulous resorts including Myrtle Beach, Orlando, and Las Vegas.   This is really a win-win situation for all.  Everyone benefits.  The accommodations are fantastic and the price can’t be beat! For more information, click Westgate Resorts. 

Gina