A good email forward from a friend -- *waving to Laura S*: When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the Mason Jar and the two cups of coffee.
A professor stood before his philosophy class with some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty Mason 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 into the jar He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He asked the class 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 cups of coffee from under the table and poured them into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed. "Now," he said, 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 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 that matter like your job, your house and your 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
"Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Spend time 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."
One student raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled and said, "I'm glad you asked
The coffee just shows you no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."
A professor stood before his philosophy class with some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty Mason 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 into the jar He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He asked the class 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 cups of coffee from under the table and poured them into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed. "Now," he said, 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 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 that matter like your job, your house and your 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
"Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Spend time 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."
One student raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled and said, "I'm glad you asked
The coffee just shows you no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."
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20 comments:
Pretty good stuff even from a college prof. Makes a lot of sense. There is usually time to get it all in if we work at it. Sorry I missed the project. We are proud of JL.
Oren
I've heard this before but enjoyed reading it again just as much! A timely reminder about what is really important! Thank you!
Oren, thanks for your help and guidance all along the way in Scouts! 'Preciate ya.
Me too, Terri. (Did you notice I changed beer to coffee?) LOL
I was just thinking "what about the coffee , what about the coffee?" *laughing* --
Can't wait to have coffee with a friend real soon *big smile*
Me too, Kathryn! Can.not wait!
That's a lovely lesson to remember. Thanks for reminding me of it.
Sul, a good guy like you always has a fully-packed jar, I'm sure. Love ya blog.
Great post, Angie. And thanks for stopping by my blog, and the outline recommendation.
I often use outlines, but for this particular project, I didn't do one for a myriad of reasons, so I have to go back and do pick-up work!
Cool little story!
That story made me smile. Thanks Angie for visiting my blog and leaving such kind words.
I think I'm up to the coffee level right now... LOL
I agree. I spent the morning enjoying caffeine with a dear friend. Great way to start a busy day. :))
I love this lesson. We use it in our Orientation classes at Gadsden State Community College. It really makes a person stop and think about the important things in life. Thanks for posting the story. And I always, ALWAYS, have a pot of coffee on at my house.
Very timely advice for me.
Thanks!
As many times as I've heard this story, I never get tired of it. Always good to be reminded of what life is really all about.
Devon, thank you for visiting, and good luck with your writing project.
Glad you liked, Colby. And thank you for making me a lucky winner of your funny vid contest!
Val, any time, and I hope you'll drop in again soon.
I'm glad to hear it's an actual teaching tool, Ang. Keep that coffee pot perking!
Candy, you're welcome. Love the recipes and food photos at your blog. I'll have a few more of my own up tomorrow.
Lori, I left you out. *smacks own head* Glad you're saturated up to the coffee level. Great feeling, huh?
PW...wish you were here to share a cup or two with me! Those were good times, eh?
I heard that story a long time ago, but not with the extra (best) part about the couple cups of coffee with a friend!!!
LOL! I'll skip the coffee for lemonade.. but I love this! I can't wait to use it for a primary lesson! it's awesome! Thanks!
Carrie, I substituted "coffee" for "beer" since that's my preference. ;)
Giddy, I'm really happy you can use the lesson to pass it on. (Hey...also glad to see ya back on line. Thought the Wee Reds had tied ya up in a corner!)
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