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

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