I received this in an e-mail and just had to share it with you all. I've seen something similar, but this one really touched me. Hope you like it too.
The Mayonnaise Jar
When things in your life seem almost too much to handle,
When 24 hours in a day is 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, wordlessly,
he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar
and started 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
it 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 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,family,
children, health, friends, and favorite passions.
Things that if everything else was lost
and only they remained, your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the things that matter like your job, house, and 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.
So...
Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.
Play with your children.
Spend time with your life partner.
He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded
With an 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,family,
children, health, friends, and favorite passions.
Things that if everything else was lost
and only they remained, your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the things that matter like your job, house, and 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.
So...
Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.
Play with your children.
Spend time with your life partner.
Take time to get medical checkups.
There will always be time
to clean the house and fix the dripping tap.
'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.'
There will always be time
to clean the house and fix the dripping tap.
'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.'
I absolutely love this!
ReplyDeleteMy dad used this as an illustration in a sermon once. Love it.
ReplyDeleteThis is great and such a wonderful illustration. Thanks so much for sharing it. I have printed a copy for my husband. He may find it useful when he leads worship.
ReplyDeleteLindsay
x
love it! thanks!
ReplyDeleteI've always loved this analogy and TRY to remember it!!
ReplyDeleteHi Cathy-
ReplyDeleteI'm Judd Corizan from the meme Sunday Stealing. (http://sundaystealing.blogspot.com) I thought I'd take the time to invite you and all Random Dozen players to join us this and every Sunday. We have a group of great players who participate. We usually post by 3PM Eastern time on Saturdays.
Thanks!
Judd
I loved this!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great analogy! Thanks for sharing it with us.
ReplyDeletewhat a wonderful visual...for those of us who depend on them. i have seen these jars before but never heard the explanation of what each thing represented. thanks for sharing!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting this, Cathy. I have heard this before and loved it but have never found it since then.
ReplyDeleteBlessings~
Laura