I came across “The Mayonnaise Jar” on my personal facebook page today and decided it was worth posting here on my blog. This “lesson” has been making rounds on the internet for at least 10 years but it’s message is timeless. For those of you who may have already seen this, welcome to a good reminder!
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 two 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 filled 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 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-God, 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.” he said.
“If you put the sand into the jar first,” he continued, “There 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….” he told them.
“So…..pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Worship with your family. Play with your children. Take your partner out to dinner. Spend time with good friends. 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 and said, “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”.
What do you love and care most about? Does your life have room for these things you hold most dear? What is one step you can take that reflects and honors what is most important to you?
Nice Vicki….
Vicki, I have read this before and loved it then, thank you so much for reminding me of such a beautiful lesson of the priorities of life, and how important they are. What an enriching message, thank you for including me in your blog writing, you are an amazing person, and I am eternally grateful for your much cherished friendship. Enjoy Sunday, and know how important you are to so many. Love to you both always, Doris, and John too of course:-)
I loved this and I have read it before but it is such a good reminder. Thanks,
I have seen this before, but never with the coffee at the end. I think that’s a great point! 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
I haven’t heard this one before, but LOVE IT! I’m going to forward it. Hope that’s ok. :0)