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Motivation/Emotions

Diabetic Connect Member rbergman

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Mayonnaise Jar & Two Beers...

by rbergman
February 19, 2009 7:15 PM
9 Replies
110 Views

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 the 2 Beers.
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 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 Beers 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 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.
The rest is just sand.
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the Beer represented.
The professor smiled and said, 'I'm glad you asked.'
The Beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of Beers with a friend.
Please share this with someone you care about. I JUST DID!


LIFE ISN'T ABOUT WAITING FOR THE STORM TO PASS...

...IT'S LEARNING HOW TO DANCE IN THE RAIN !


Tags: family, friends, motivationemotions, diabetes

From Replies
Diabetic Connect Member MeiMei
MeiMei
MeiMei replied February 19, 2009 7:33 PM 

Amen!!

Diabetic Connect Member jaclyncrystal
jaclyncrystal
jaclyncrystal replied February 19, 2009 8:17 PM 

What a wonderful scientific way to get a very important point across, the professor was a wise man. thanks for the post, needed that reality check today. jackie

Diabetic Connect Member roshy
roshy
roshy replied February 19, 2009 9:11 PM 

That is such a clear, simple and beautiful way to put it!!

AHHH life can be such a pleasure!!! Im Sharing That with EVERYONE i know!!

Go raibh mile maith agat!! ( irish for a thousand million thank yous) x x

Diabetic Connect Member Leigh Marsden
Leigh Marsden
Leigh Marsden replied February 19, 2009 9:21 PM 

That was awesome... thank you for sharing... I will remember this bit of advice.
Your Friend, Leigh

Diabetic Connect Member DiabetesDiva
DiabetesDiva
DiabetesDiva replied February 19, 2009 10:22 PM 

So true, although my 86 year old dad (who loves to dance) would simply pour the beers in the jar & drink away!

Kate

Diabetic Connect Member sparkysmom
sparkysmom
sparkysmom replied February 20, 2009 12:26 AM 

Thank You. I needed that today.
Jackie

Diabetic Connect Member caragypsy
caragypsy
caragypsy replied February 20, 2009 3:10 AM 

Thank you for sharing this. I like it a lot. Cara

Diabetic Connect Member rbergman
rbergman
rbergman replied February 20, 2009 3:44 AM 

A friend of mine had sent this to me in an email this morning and I thought it would be a good share. Glad you all enjoyed it.

Diabetic Connect Member Deleted User
Deleted User
Deleted User replied February 22, 2009 2:20 PM 

Last edited 9 months ago

I have a lot of trouble readin, but this was definetly worth the strain. Thankyou; I already copied and pasted it and emailed to all my friends; left this page open so I could see if it worked, while emailing it to myself to see, it did, Thanks
Claudia