The Mayonnaise Jar
From time to time, we come across a story that makes us think about our life priorities. The story of the professor with the mayonnaise jar and two cups of coffee is one of those jewelries. The writer of the story is unknown, at this point it is not important, what is important is that the story is really inspiring and educational.
If you think your life is a rush and you do not have time for anything, remember the mayonnaise jar and the two cups of coffee.
‘’A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he silently 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 by picking up 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 “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, your church, your spiritual and cultural life — 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 business, your house and your car.
The sand is everything else — the small stuff.
If you put the sand into the jar first, 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 essential to your happiness. Spend your with your children. Take your spouse out to dinner. Visit your parents. Go to museums or concerts with your friends. I hope you have kind of friends who appreciate art and music. There will always be time to check on the stock market. Take care of the golf balls first — the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand. Do not waste your life on unimportant things.
You may think what does the coffee represent in the story?
It reminds us that no matter how full our life may seem, there is always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.
Father of Taoism, Lao Tzu said: “Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” Lao Tzu
If we are constantly rushing, we will miss out on life itself. Slow down, stop rushing, and enjoy life and still get everything done.
fr. Z Saribekyan
