Golf Balls and Mayonnaise... a lesson in life

In a fit of procrastination of my research paper, I came across an e-mail forward my mom sent me several years ago. It seemed to speak to me this evening, and felt like I should share:


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, and then 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 ball 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.'



Happy Mothers Day,
Chelsea

An old "To Do List" Visited...

Hi friends,
I have lots to tell you about what’s been going on with me the past little while. I did tons of fun trips, saw lots of friends and family and I am now back in Japan! Now that I’m back home, it’s time to focus on that to-do list I posted back in January. Here’s a re-cap:
1. Finish our wedding scrapbook—HA! Maybe someday…
2. Finish 18 hours of college credit—9 down, 9 in progress! GO ME!
3. Eat 3 vegetarian meals a week—Eh—I did pretty well with this before I went to the states where I ate tons of meat… like steak. And I LOVED it. Those steroids were Uh-Mazing. Mmmmmmmm! But I have been eating one here and there, so that’s good.
4. Learn more Japanese—Well, I still have time before George gets back.
5. Visit family and friends in GA—CHECK
6. Get a plant and keep it alive—I’m going to buy one this weekend!
7. Plant flowers and keep them alive—I just ordered some!
8. Read books—I’ve read lots of Psychology textbooks (ugh) and finished the latest Emily Giffin book “Heart of the Matter”. Emily’s got it going on. Every time I read one of her books I get obsessed with the idea of writing my own novel someday. And I still want to write children’s books. I also purchased (which I never do) Water for Elephants, and my friend Caitlin gave me a novel called The Red Tent to read too.
9. Make my bed in the mornings—it’s good that I even get out of bed in the mornings.
10. Run—Every once in a while! And now that the weather is starting to warm up here in Japan, it sounds even more appealing.
11. Organize our storage area—I plan on doing that this week. I had to take Cheyenne’s giant crate out of it to take our trip to GA but I can’t get it back in without organizing it. So… this week, this week!
12. Organize our guest room—Besides the closet, it’s done!!! YES!
13. Find 2 new bands to love—I found Mumford and Sons. LOVE THEM. What are your favorite bands? I need a second one!
14. Take a military hop somewhere exciting—I don’t think I’ll get this one done before George gets back. :-/ Oh well!
15. Teach Cheyenne to jump through a hula-hoop—She’ll walk through it, I still need to take her to a grassy field and try it outside where there’s room to jump!
16. Plan a fabulous vacay for us to take upon George’s return—We’re still considering the location.
17. Get a bikini body—in the works.
18. Learn to navigate the train systems here all by myself—I’m going to take off one weekend soon!
19. Take an ITT tour—Anyone want to sign up for one?!
20. Send George lots of packages, love letters, and baked goods—Check!