The Mayonnaise Jar and Coffee

In reading the title of today's post, some of you will feel you've seen or heard this before. If you know about "The Mayonnaise Jar and the Coffee", take the time to re-read. It's one of those life lessons we should never forget, especially at this time of the year when we put aside life's daily challenges and focus on family and friends. These are not my words and I've seen a few versions. In one, beer was substituted for the coffee. That version must have been paraphrased by a curler! Enjoy!

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, 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.

So 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 – 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.

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children! Take time to get medical checkups. Take your wife/husband/lover/friend out to dinner. Maybe even play another 18. There is always 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 enquired 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 is always room for a couple cups of coffee with a friend.”

Later this morning, I'm going to have breakfast with a friend (orange juice, not coffee)! Whatever your belief, enjoy this very precious time of the year! For me, I'm going to do my best to have a Merry Christmas!