Ingredients

  • When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in the day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the two cups of coffee. shopping list
  • 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. shopping list
  • 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. shopping list
  • 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 respnded witha unanimous 'YES!' shopping list
  • 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. shopping list
  • "Now," said the professor as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognise that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things - God, your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favourite passions - and if everything else was lost and only these remained, your life would still be full. shopping list
  • "The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car. shopping list
  • "The sand is everything else - the small stuff. If you put the sand into 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. shopping list
  • "Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play 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. 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." shopping list
  • One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. shopping list
  • "It just goes to show that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend." shopping list

How to make it

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  • elgourmand 13 years ago
    This is not new but its always true. Thanks for the reminder. RJ
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    " It was excellent "
    jamesj ate it and said...
    ha ha,
    I love this. never heard it before and i must read it a few times over. actually if you dont mind i think ill copy and paste it,
    ha ha great craic.
    cheers s.
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    " It was excellent "
    lor ate it and said...
    I too have read this before but that's okay because I sometimes need a little reminder ;)
    It's so very well written and I am going to print this out. Thank you so much SitByNellie!!!
    This is definitely a HIGH 5!!!
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  • peetabear 14 years ago
    great post... so glad we all make the time to have "cyber" coffee together...
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    " It was excellent "
    efitobx ate it and said...
    Much Thanks for the Post
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    " It was excellent "
    quaziefly ate it and said...
    A wonderful means of expressing the levels of priorities. I WILL be pasing this along to the younger couples in our lives. Wisdom at it's finest! Thank you so much for sharing!

    J and M
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    " It was excellent "
    asheats ate it and said...
    I almost cried
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    " It was excellent "
    minitindel ate it and said...
    just beautiful i love it thank you for sharing it

    hugs tink
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    " It was excellent "
    donman ate it and said...
    This is so true Susan. Thanks :)
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  • sitbynellie 14 years ago
    Thanks Val.
    And if you can't get a cup of coffee in Seattle where can you get one!!??!!
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    " It was excellent "
    valinkenmore ate it and said...
    I have seen this before but it is the best advice a person can be given. Thanks so much - if you're ever in Seattle, I'll have a cup of coffee for you!
    Valerie
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