Mayonaise Jar & 2 Beers...

emilyr9602
emilyr9602 Posts: 51 Member
edited September 29 in Motivation and Support
Hey everyone,
This is one of my favorite stories that a professor shared with us when I was in college. I just came across it again and figured I would share. Have a great day!!!



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.

Set your priorities.

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.

Replies

  • MB_Positif
    MB_Positif Posts: 8,897 Member
    Ha! Love this! Thanks for sharing!
  • Seajolly
    Seajolly Posts: 1,435 Member
    I love that! Thank you for sharing. :smile:
  • pnieuw
    pnieuw Posts: 473
    Great story - thanks for posting it!
  • keb80
    keb80 Posts: 394
    love that.
  • Love this!!
  • Loved it!!!
    I have heard that one before.... but a good one to remind us again.
    Thanks
  • Mandakat17
    Mandakat17 Posts: 105
    Great story!
  • jkleman79
    jkleman79 Posts: 706 Member
    I totally forgot about this one!!! I love it! =0) I just had another great one come back to me recently..I posted it as the quote of the day this morning. Thanks so much!
  • almonds1
    almonds1 Posts: 642 Member
    bump........


    awesome!!!
  • freddyrussell
    freddyrussell Posts: 15 Member
    This made me think, brilliant story thankyou!!
  • Erindipitous
    Erindipitous Posts: 1,234 Member
    I love this! :)

    Thank you for sharing!
  • BonLou76
    BonLou76 Posts: 36
    Thank you! I heard that once a long time ago but it's always a great reminder!
  • cartern1
    cartern1 Posts: 270 Member
    That's a great way of thinking
  • Bump nice story
  • emilyr9602
    emilyr9602 Posts: 51 Member
    I totally forgot about this one!!! I love it! =0) I just had another great one come back to me recently..I posted it as the quote of the day this morning. Thanks so much!

    I know! I read yours and was like "the mayo jar!" so I figured I'd post it:happy:
  • starr68
    starr68 Posts: 62 Member
    I love this. Thank you so much for sharing. Really puts thing into focus!!
    :drinker:
  • bmw4deb
    bmw4deb Posts: 1,324 Member
    Really cool ,,, thanks for sharing
  • Texas501
    Texas501 Posts: 274
    Thanks for sharing. Very good read.
  • SeasideOasis
    SeasideOasis Posts: 1,057 Member
    I want to get into motivational style speaking some time in my life and THAT is fantastic!! ;)
  • Crazyoddball
    Crazyoddball Posts: 21 Member
    That was great
  • jkleman79
    jkleman79 Posts: 706 Member
    I totally forgot about this one!!! I love it! =0) I just had another great one come back to me recently..I posted it as the quote of the day this morning. Thanks so much!

    I know! I read yours and was like "the mayo jar!" so I figured I'd post it:happy:

    YOU ROCK!!! =0) Funny though..i post specifically about quotes and I get 70 readers...you mention beer and mayo on here and DAMN! you get all the readers....haha!!
  • twchoc1
    twchoc1 Posts: 2
    Love it!
  • thurberj
    thurberj Posts: 528 Member
    Awesome and so true....I bookmarked it to look at from time to time!!
  • 1113cw
    1113cw Posts: 830 Member
    Love, love, love this... thanks for a great post!
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