I received this in a mail. And it said at the end, “Please share this with someone you care about.” Doing just that.
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 coffee.
A professor stood before his Philosophy class and had some items in front of him.
When the class began, wordlessly, he 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 an unanimous “yes.”
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.
“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 God, family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite 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 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.”
“Play with your children. “Take time to get medical checkups.”
“Take your partner 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, thereβs always room for a cup of coffee with a friend.”
To the Question of your life, you are the only Answer. To the Problem of your life, you are the only Solution.
August 3, 2006 at 7:05 am
Nice story really…
yeah RK..me too impressed by this story..and posted it on my bog a couple of months back…haha..
When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 Hours in a day are not enough....And if you need longer day why dont you follow this New concept? hehe..
August 3, 2006 at 7:22 am
Ganga: Thanks for the link. Read your post “You need a longer day?”. Hmmm…Worth giving it a try. But when we get used to 28 hour days, we might feel 28 hrs is too less….how about 36 hrs a day?! π
August 3, 2006 at 7:42 am
ha ha..dat’s toomuch..
August 3, 2006 at 12:48 pm
I remember Ravi Belegere’s dialogue of time managment here, Since he feels theres lot to do and available are only 24 hrs a day, he says he sleeps 4-6 hrs and works 18-20 hrs a day..
We should gear up for better time management and enjoy the fuller life..
If i get 36 hrs a day i would devote extra time for reading and meeting friends for cup(s) of coffee :). But we all might hav to give at 6-8 hrs in 36 hrs to travel in bangalore(traffic jams)
August 3, 2006 at 12:58 pm
Ganga: π
Usha: lol… after reading the last line! Yes, I remember Ravi Belagere’s dialogue.
August 3, 2006 at 3:06 pm
Wow! That’s an awesome story RK. If only all of us took more time out for the golf balls and less for the sand, life would be more meaningful and less stressful:))Thanks for sharing.
August 4, 2006 at 5:55 am
tp,
how true! you have put the gist of those 55 lines in one line!
August 4, 2006 at 1:28 pm
RK, Thanks so much for the Varamahalakshmi habba wishes. I felt so happy when I saw it today morning. I really miss that festival atmosphere out here. Thanks once again:)
August 4, 2006 at 2:13 pm
tp: You are welcome. π
August 5, 2006 at 2:24 pm
No Ramblings here..it’s two days over..lolzz
Just came here to see what’s on RK’s blog..
August 7, 2006 at 4:56 am
Hi Ganga,
For RK, no RAMBLING in the weekend, just AMBLING!
August 7, 2006 at 7:41 am
lolzz @ AMBLING
Hope u had a great weekend,RK
August 8, 2006 at 5:52 am
Ganga: π
August 19, 2006 at 6:32 pm
I have just found your website, and am astouded to find your philosophical treatise about Mayonnaise Jars and Golfballs.
Please take a look at:
Click to access indianlore.pdf
This is my story, written in 1985, and has been on my webpages. I ought to be flattered, I guess, except for changing of the story.
Edward Shaw
August 21, 2006 at 5:59 am
Dear Edward Shaw,
First things first. Welcome to my blog.
Next, this is certainly NOT my “philosophical treatise about Mayonnaise Jars and Golfballs.”
As I have said at the beginning of the post, I received this in a mail. And it said at the end, βPlease share this with someone you care about.β
So I shared it with you all.
The link that you have sent is not opening. Please check.
Do visit again. π
August 26, 2006 at 5:58 pm
Great Blog. π I don’t bookmark many, but I’ll be back here.
August 28, 2006 at 8:07 am
Golf Schools,
Welcome to my blog. Glad you liked it. And thanks for bookmarking.
π
August 31, 2006 at 2:48 am
So I’ve been searching around looking at blogs because I want to start one at my site. But I’m not sure how I want to go…. blogger, wordpress, drupal… not sure, and I don’t know that much about them. I like the look of this site. If you have time could you email me What you like/dislike about your blog? Thank you if you decide to take the time to help me out, and I understand if you don’t. Ultimately I want it to look good with being “hands off” as much as possible. Anyway, keep up the good work.
September 29, 2006 at 3:23 pm
Hi. Your site is basically so nice. Only wish it was a little easier to read.**
October 20, 2006 at 10:51 am
your blog is very interesting, many thx,