The Mayonnaise Jar

and 2 Cups of Coffee

We hope as you read this inspirational email about the mayonnaise jar
and coffee, that you will be inspired to make use of
the time you are given to share that time with the ones you love.

Too often, we forget the important things in our lives and this email
comes as a reminder to all of us to put things back in perspective. May
you be blessed and inspired as you read this email we received
from a person we love dearly.

Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2008 8:55 AM
Subject: FW: This is so true

When things in your lives seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a
day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee.

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 mayonnaise  jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the mayonnaise jar. He
shook the mayonnaise jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls.
He then asked the students again if the mayonnaise jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the mayonnaise jar. Of course,
the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the mayonnaise 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 mayonnaise 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 mayonnaise 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 mayonnaise 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. Play with your
children. 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 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.’

Please share this with someone you care about.

*Note from DontLoseFaith.com: If this email touched you
take time to share it to inspire your friends and loved ones.
May you be blessed and Remember Always, No Matter What, Don’t Lose Faith and Never Give up!