Women Fit For Forties

I got this in a email this morning and I just had to share it with you guys!

The Mayonnaise Jar

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, When 24 hours in a day is not enough; remember the mayonnaise jar and 2 cups of 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 start 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 it 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 - Family, children, health, friends, and favorite passions Things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the things that matter like your job, house, and 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.

So... 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. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the dripping tap. '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.'

Hey Ladies,

I am checking in rather late today.

Timbotina, that is exactly why we wanted to start this group. It is just so much easier to connect with people who have simular issues and challenges. I am glad you decided to join us:flowerforyou:

lstpaul, I am so happy to see you today. I know I have told you this a thousand times but I am so awed by your commitment to exercise. Keep up the good work. I right there with you on the eating, I have become a master of maintenance.

Sandara, we did not decide on a weigh in day, it is really up to the group. I just suggested that maybe we could weigh in on our own days and just share our progress with each other so we can cheer and support the process.

Kintegra, YAY on that pound!!! I am doing the happy dance with ya:laugh:

Cogirl, you don't even know how much I needed that story today. Thanks for reminding me.

Solandra, how touching about the step son. I hope everything works out for the best for everyone involved. You sound like a pretty amazing stepmom.

Lisa, I thought the exercise suggestions you were given sound great to me. Good job on those sit ups.


************************************************Warning Venting Ahead******************************************
I was told a bus would pick up my son this morning about 3 blocks from my house, Never came. Got him to kindercamp 30 minutes late then went to the store. When I got back I thought I best tackle the front lawn before it gets too hot. Then I lost my mind. I started trimming these bushes in our front yard that you can see from outer space :huh: Then of course we had to pick up all of the debris so I asked my 2 middle daughters to help. They fought the entire time, I am yelling at them to cut it out and they are yelling at each other. I look over and my nosey neighbor is watching us laughing. Yeah, I needed that:embarassed: Finally, I get out the weed eater and trim all the edges then mow, by this time I have to go back to school and pick up my son(without a shower, just a brief cleanup:embarassed: hopefully I did not smell:sick: ). When I get there they tell me that they want to do further assesments on my son. (my son has a speech and language delay) I was also told that they are not making him do anything because he becomes "combative" He is actually crying and saying "no thank you" to doing work. They told me he is very polite but they feel he has issues and should not force him to work. Okay this momma does not play that game. He may have delays but he CAN do work. He needs guidance. I do not want him cottled and babied, This is real life and we have to do things we don't want. Don't get me wrong I am not some heartless mother, I love love love love my only son. He is so precious to me and he is my sweetheart. But I want him to succeed in life. and part of loving your children is pushing them to do what they need to do. This last almost 2 years I have cried at least 1x a week for my son. But I am determined that he will not be labled something and then nothing expected of him because of it. So sorry for rambling this is my daily trial and sometimes I get a bit overwelmed by it all. Thankfully, I have faith in God and I know that is what has kept me sane so far. Any how thanks so much for listening (reading) my vent. I try to keep them to a minimum,

Thanks llowry, I know you are right:flowerforyou:


I love a post called "skinny wednesday challenge" thought maybe I would share with you all. Saw ya there Kintegra!

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/100720-skinny-wednesday-challenge?page=1#posts-1390843

70 minutes gardening (trimming bushes,clean up, weeding, and weed eating with a machine not actual eating:laugh: )