The Mayonnaise Jar and Two Cups of Coffee
I think you will agree that there is a “feel good” lesson in this little story:
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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 two cups of
coffee.
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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 a 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 in life. Your God, your 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 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.”
John, That was a neat story. It was an attitude adjuster. Also, God Bless you for the Manifesting Cards Course. I have been working with the 3 videos and some really amazing things have been happening.
As I read through the course I actually FELT my mind being reprogrammed. I was getting chills. I was experiencing many long- cherished (stupid and selfish) ideas and beliefs arising in my conscious awareness. I was remembering times when I vaguely realized that they were working against me and I should stop them. But then a squeaky Rumpelstiltskin voice would say, “you gotta be tough to survive. Its dog-eat-dog out there, and I would dismiss the truth. THIS MATERIAL IS POWERFUL. I now am remembering what gratitude used to feel like. Your Mayo Jar and coffee is a good illustration of it. Mucho thanks for everything.
Your student, Roger
Thank you for sharing your story with all of us Roger.
I love hearing from you.
Best wishes to you on your journey of discovery.
Wonderfull stories it shows us the real important thing in our live…
Thank you John for this wise and mind expanding story. I will read it often just to remind me of the precious things in life. God Bless, Love, Liz. xxx
Thanks for your comments, Lizette and Liz.
I really enjoy hearing from you, especially when it is to tell me I have done something correct. 🙂
– John Derrick
gret reminder. thanks for sharing this with me.
This is a great story, thanks for sharing. It’s put in an easy and practical way to explain to my 16 year old, the priorities of life.
Love hearing from you John, thanks again.