The Mayonnaise Jar Philosophy‏ by The Professor

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
the 2 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 all the empty spaces. 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 other 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.
Talk with your parents. 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 car.

'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'. '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.'