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 an 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.' 

E-mail from a friend.