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The Classic view on life and what's really important.


Heretic

2,692 views

Note: This isn't my work but felt like re-posting it here:

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Mayonnaise Jar & Two 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.

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Great analogy. Awesome words of advice as well . I agree with most of what you have written but the main point realistically for many is that the small things really matter. Their quality of life depends on these tiny moments, possessions or events that seem inconsequential to us but really mean the world to them. Yes it sounds incredibly pretentious but it is very real. I myself try not to put too much value on anything that is material, it eventually leads to disappointment unless of course you are loaded. Inevitably even then the luster will tarnish.

Many things that are meaningful to others are meaningless to me. It is really subjective to the person living their lives. I feel incomplete if I have not drifted a corner or hit red line in at least a few gears each day. It brings such joy to me but others may think that is just plain stupid.

IMHO In the grand scheme of things you are pretty much on target my friend:) Life , liberty and health are what really matter most. Anything after that is just gravy.

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the health and happiness of my love ones, my faith and the help i can give others, whole or broken as i pass this way...golf balls....

making money and paying bills ....pebbles

having a couple of beers with friends...priceless.

good read lad.

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