The
following story was read by Joseph Esshaki, a young Chaldean, who
would like to share it with others for the New Year.
As the
New Year arrives with its coming challenges, successes, and hard
falls, it's a time to reflect on the changes we want (or need) to
make and resolve to follow through on those changes. It is a time
for looking back to the past, and more importantly, forward to the
coming year.
Just keep in
mind the Mayonnaise Jar and the 2 cups of coffee when things in your
life seem almost too much to handle.
Short Story
professor stood before his philosophy class with 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 everything else. 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-your God (if you believe), 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.
RIGHT?? 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. Play with your children. Take time to get medical
checkups. 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.
"Ahh! 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."
began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise
jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.