The Mayonnaise Jar and 2 Cups of Coffee

Learning from the Kitchen

Often one of the busiest rooms in the house.

The kitchen has not only become a central ‘hub’ of my home, it has also delievered to me many a lesson.

The everyday items used in preparation, ingredients put together and the method by which it all happens. All of these have, at one time or another, spoken to me about significant life lesssons, often ones that have proven to be invaluable.

This lesson came when I was making a coffee. I was reminded of a story that I read some years ago.

Why did I remember this now?

I wondered if it was because of my love of sharing coffee with a friend? Or was it the stress and busyness of life that was now causing me to reflect a bit more on the important things in life?

Although I am not sure why this story came to mind when it did, I am thankful for the gentle reminder it gave; displaying to me in a practical way how to keep the important things in life in balance.

And that there is value and blessing in sharing coffee with a friend!

Maybe you will find it helpful too, even if it has been something you may have read before.

This is the story……

Deb
xx

The Mayonnaise Jar and 2 Cups of Coffee

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough……..remember the mayonnaise jar & the 2 cups of Coffee.

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 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 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 favourite 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. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner.. There will always be time to clean the house and do the ironing.

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 coffee 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 couple of cups of coffee with a friend.