When things in life seem too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and 2 cups of cocoa.
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 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 cups of cocoa from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed. “Now,” the jar is full 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 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 to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to be healthy. 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 cocoa 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’s always room for a cup of cocoa with a friend.”
It’s Christmas! - Take time to visit your best friend, give a copy of this story with a can of hot cocoa mix – and two special mugs – reminisce old times!
Jack took a long look at his speedometer before slowing down – going 73 in a 55 zone. It was the fourth time in a few months. How could a guy get caught so often?
When his car had slowed to 10 miles an hour, Jack pulled over, but only partially. Let the cop worry about the potential traffic hazard. Maybe some other car will tweak his backside with a mirror. The cop was stepping out of his car with the big pad in hand.
It was Bob? – Bob from Church? Jack sunk farther into his trench coat. This was worse than the coming ticket – a cop catching a guy from his own church, a guy who happened to be a little eager to get home after a long day at the office, a guy he was about to play golf with tomorrow.
Jumping out of the car, he approached a man he saw every Sunday, a man he’d never seen in uniform.
“Hi, Bob. It’s fancy meeting you like this.” “Hello, Jack.” – no smile. “I guess you caught me red-handed in a rush to see my wife and kids.” “Yeah, I guess.” Bob seemed uncertain, which was good. “I’ve seen some long days at the office lately. I’m afraid I bent the rules a bit -just this once.” Jack toed at a pebble on the pavement.
“Diane said something about roast beef and potatoes tonight. You know what I mean?”
“I know what you mean. I also know that you have a reputation in our precinct.” Ouch! This was not going in the right direction. It was time to change tactics.
“What’d you clock me at?” “Seventy. Would you sit back in your car please?” “Now wait a minute here, Bob. I checked as soon as I saw you. I was barely nudging 65.” The lie seemed to come easier with every ticket. “Please, Jack – in the car” Flustered, Jack hunched himself through the still-open door slamming it shut. He stared at the dashboard. He was in no rush to open the window.
The minutes ticked by. Bob scribbled away on the pad. Why hadn’t he asked for a driver’s license? Whatever the reason, it would be a month of Sundays before Jack ever sat near this cop again.
A tap on the door jerked his head to the left. There was Bob with a folded paper in hand. Jack rolled down the window a mere two inches, just enough room for Bob to pass him the slip. “Thanks.” Jack could not quite keep the sneer out of his voice.
Bob returned to his police car without a word. Jack watched his retreat in the mirror. Jack unfolded the sheet of paper. How much was this one going to cost? Wait a minute. What was this? – some kind of joke? It certainly was not a ticket. Jack began to read:
“Dear Jack, Once upon a time I had a daughter. She was six when killed by a car – you guessed it – from a speeding driver. After a fine and three months in jail, the man was free – free to hug his daughters, all three of them. I only had one, and I’m going to have to wait until Heaven before I can ever hug her again. A thousand times I’ve tried to forgive that man. A thousand times I thought I had. Maybe I did, but I need to do it again, even now. Pray for me. And be careful, Jack. My son is all I have left. Bob”
Jack turned around in time to see Bob’s police car pull away and head down the road. Jack watched until it disappeared. A full 15 minutes later, he too pulled away and drove slowly home, praying for forgiveness and hugging a surprised wife and kids when he arrived.
Life is precious. Handle with care. Drive safely and carefully. Remember, cars are not the only things recalled by their maker.