好文共赏——The Mayonnaise Jar

果核

                        The Mayonnaise Jar
* e  C& }$ Z: i$ NWhen things in your life seem, Almost too much to handle, When24 Hours in a day is not enough, Remember the mayonnaise jar and 2cups of coffee.
A professor stood before his philosophy class And had some itemsin front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, He picked up avery large and empty mayonnaise jar And proceeded to fill it withgolf balls. He then asked the students, If the jar was full. Theyagreed that it was. The professor then picked up a box of pebblesand poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebblesrolled into the open Areas between the golf balls. He then askedThe students again If the jar was full.. They agreed it was. Theprofessor next picked up a box of sand And poured it into the jar.Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once moreif the jar was full. The students responded With an unanimous'yes.' The professor then produced Two cups of coffee from underthe table And poured the entire contents Into the jar, effectivelyFilling the Empty space between the sand. The students laughed.'Now,' said the professor, As the laughter subsided, 'I want you torecognize that This jar represents your life. The golf balls arethe important things - God, family, children, health, Friends, andFavorite passions – Things that if everything else was lost Andonly they remained, Your life would still be full. The pebbles arethe other things that matter Like your job, house, and car. Thesand is everything else -- The small stuff. 'If you put the sandinto the jar first,' He continued, 'there is no room for Thepebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend allyour time And energy on the small stuff, You will never have roomfor The things that are Important to you.
So...
' G. d" s% {$ c# C" TPay attention to the things That are critical to your happiness.Play With your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Takeyour partner out to dinner. There will always be time To clean thehouse and fix the disposal.
7 U/ V/ n0 [) l' e$ \4 S'Take care of the golf balls first -- The things that reallymatter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.'
: n. i- d# X8 ?" DOne of the students raised her hand And inquired what the coffeerepresented. The professor smiled. 'I'm glad you asked'. It justgoes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem,there's always room for A couple of cups of coffee with afriend.'
                                                                       
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