The Mayonnaise Jar & The Beer

When things in life seem like too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember this story about “the mayonnaise jar and the beer”.

 

A professor stood before his philosophy class and wordlessly, he picked up a very large, empty mayonnaise jar.  He 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 took 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 cans of beer 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 – your family, your children, your health, your friends, your passions – things, that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

 

The pebbles are the other things that matter – your job, your house, your car.

 

The sand is everything else – the small stuff.

 

If you put the sand into the jar first,” he continued, “there’s 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’ll 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 your partner out to dinner. Make time for your medical check ups. Play another 18.  There will always be time to clean the house, make the next sale, 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 asked what the beer 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 beers.”

 

Here’s to you!     Make it a great life.