Life as it should be.

[Big N' Blue]

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 that 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.'

[bluedogs]

very good point and so true