Thanks to ‘The Internet’ for coming to my rescue, making me laugh, and helping me get through my time of misery yet again. I would also like to extend thanks to a rather unusual individual for putting things into perspective for me.
* I high-jacked (as in stole) this email (read below) from one of the funniest (and sickest) blogs titled Mental-Poo. A blog written by the Midget Man Of Steel a.k.a. Mooooog35 *
The Mayonnaise Jar and 2 Beers
When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 Beers.
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 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.’
So thank you Internet. I am feeling better. I just need to put more balls in my jar. Wait? That doesn’t sound right…
That is perfect! I’ve never heard it put so well.. and I’ve been going to shrinks on and off my whole life! 😛
I love the end, by the way. Thanks for posting this 🙂
i heard this analogy many years ago,, but it was called big rocks then,, and used rocks and water in place of the beer and golf balls…
i have carried the thought with me ever since.. it becomes easier and easier as time progresses to identify what the ‘big rocks’ are in life..
sometimes simply asking oneself when faced with a situation or a desire,, “is this a big rock’??? can make all the difference in maintaining proper perspective of what is really important…..
thanks for reminding me….
Brings me back a few years, story came in delivered as part of a time management class. The elements & presentation slightly different but the focus and/or morale of the story was the same.
The ending though offers a new twist… that thing about the beers with a friend? priceless 🙂
Wonderful twist. I always knew beer was better than water. Now, if you need some . . . oh, nevermind. 😀
Perfect analogy…one I’ve come to know quite well these last two years. Life altering events tend to change your perception of the world around you.
You’re right, something just doesn’t sound right about YOU putting more balls in the jar!! I love this story, and this is the first time I’ve heard it with beer being used. And I love that addition to this story!
Tesco:
You’re welcome. I needed this one today too.
Paisley:
I never heard this before. I think I might even print this out in pretty colors and fonts, frame it, and hang it in my bedroom as a daily reminder.
Rog:
Mmmmm Beer
(Said as Homer Simpson)
Tree:
Hahahahaha
Dazd:
Agreed! But, I’ve had enough life altering events for a while. I need a break!
Lance:
I know! Just saying the word BALLS makes me a little uncomfortable!~
Takes me back to that one chemistry class in College or was it Material Science ?
The professor used this analogy to highlight packing of atoms and molecules.
But he used a bucket of water instead. Doh !
I recently received this via email also and had to share it.
…………..will it work with wine???
😉
xoxoxo
You don’t WANT to know what my mayonnaise jar is filled with.
Jaffer:
Alcohol Is Better Than Water!
Employee No. 3699:
Great Minds Think Alike
moooooog35:
I’m not sure if WE want to know that!
Ha ha ha ha
(Again. Thanks for sharing that email from ‘homo-bill’, and your post for your daughter’s birthday was equally moving.)
Olga:
Hell Yes.
I also think Vodka would be another fine substitute for beer.
as I raise my glass – here’s to you and your big balls!
I have seen that before. Well you KNOW I had to like it. LOL There’s another one similar, I’ll have to find it!
Skipper:
Ah! Ha! Ha!
I love you woman.
Oscar:
Im glad you liked it.
“I just need to put more balls in my jar.”
Oh, how I’ve missed you! I’m still playing catch-up after last week’s power outage. Mwah!
HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!
You don’t need to put more balls in your jar, girl, you got the biggest balls of anyone I know! 😀
You just need to dump out the pebbles and the sand. And go have a beer with a good girl friend. Simple, right?
LOVE that story! THANK YOU!!!
Thank you again for the comments to my chapter 2…you really do rock!!!!
XOXOXO
RC
Momo:
I’ve missed you sooooo much too!
Im so happy you finally have POWER back!
geez.
Random:
Yeah…for a chick I do have pretty big balls!
and you are so very welcome for my notes!
xxoo
Great post, Meleah. In my case, though, I think it’ll have to be a latte or two with a friend! 😀 Hang in there kid. One way to measure the seriousness of a situation is to compare it to a nuclear…or as Bush would say, “nukuler”…bomb falling on your head. Not much is worth breaking a sweat over in comparison.
This is excellent advice! Thanks for passing that on! And I’m glad you’re feeling better!
i’m glad you’re feeling a little better sweets! 😀 SMILE!!!!
your friends love you and are here for you.
i miss you and tiffers…i’ve been a 7 day a week working fool…….
that’s what i’m trying to do, take care of my balls first.
glad you’re back to feeling fine.
Wow.. what a great post. Thanks! This is exactly what I needed today!
I think we could ALL use more balls. Excellent advice. 😀 Thanks for the great motivational post! Quite the perfect day for it!
I need to go find me a nice little Mayonnaise jar 😀 Wonderful post Meleah …
Humorous twist on the Priorities in Life but, can we drink some beer without my husband’s golf balls floating in the beer jar? 😉
Funny but very wise. Sometimes it’s the most humorous things that remind you of what is important. It has cheered me up to read this. I definitely need more balls in my jar. Hahaha.
That was good! Mind if I steal it?
what a waste of beer! You can keep the balls, pebbles and sand – just send me some beer.
It doesn’t sound right but it makes a lot of sense (in reference to your last sentence).
This post has hit home with me today. And I am glad that you posted it. Even if I’m a day late in commenting on it.
I hope today is a great day for you and tomorrow is even better.
Lee:
LOL
Terri:
Thank you and Your Welcome
Jen:
I miss you too. I need my friends RIGHT NOW
More than ever…
Valerie:
Ball maintenance is important
Darrin:
You’re welcome
Eva:
It worked for me when I posted this.
But today? Not so much.
Nick:
Thanks Dood
Miss Money Penny:
Yes
Selma:
We could all use more balls
Awake:
Sure! Steal it! I did.
Grumpy:
Isn’t it a shame when people waste beer
Urban:
Yeah. Well…today? Not so good.
Ill get to that in my next post.
I’ve heard this before and it’s very, very true. Many of us spend our lives wading through sand instead of playing golf and drinking beer. See? Now you know what’s important, huh?
It’s a perfect analogy and I love the way you ended it with “I just need to put more balls in my jar.” 🙂
I woke up to a not-so-great day.
But now, after reading this, I feel so much better.
This is the first time I heard about this story, and it makes a hell lot of sense.
Jay:
Oh I know whats IMPORTANT.
I just wish I had more time for the things that really MATTER!
Dawn:
xxoo
🙂
RMH:
I wish this was still making me be in a good mood.
Im having PROBLEMS with the Pebbels in my jar right now
If somebody packed my balls in sand and rocks, I’d need a couple of beers, too…
my friend’s daughter eats sand. i’m not sure what that says. but she’s sick now. surely that means something.
You’ve been tagged. This one is fast, and easy. ;o)
Beer is verily a gift from the gods.
BobG:
Ah! Ha! Ha! Ha!
HollyDolly:
LOL
Awake:
Sweet!
Qelqoth:
Damn straight
Actually, your balls in the jar sounds just about right if you ask me…of course you didn’t, but I’m saying so anyhow!
I love that email. I’ve seen the coffee version too.
I’m all about the balls….wait THAT did not come out right. 🙂
Seriously, that is my internal scale of importance: if it compromises those golf balls in any way, than it’s a no go.
Courtney:
xxxooo
Ana:
“I’m all about the balls”
hahahahahaahaha
I’ve used this analogy before, too, but without the beer. It’s perfect. Now go get a freaking jar and put some balls in it. Then set it somewhere that you can see it. It could be art, right?
KellyPea:
Yanno What? I am totally DOING THAT.