In the Tree House: Golf Balls and Mayonnaise
By: Samantha Stroube Daviss
As most of you know 99% of my writings are my own original thoughts or works. But every once in a while I run across an article I read or an email I received, and albeit that you too have more than likely read or seen them yourselves, I just have to share these thoughts.
This is an email, which I have seen several times, but like I say “It’s an oldie, but a goody”.
The message is clear, but the contents of your “jar” will obviously vary from each other’s; however, the important thing is to recognize and center your life around your “golf balls”, but always remember to make time for your beer.
Mayonnaise Jar & Two Beers...
When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are
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
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 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 two Beers from under the table and poured their entire
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 two Beers from under the table and poured their 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
'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
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 pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.
And the sand is everything else---the small stuff. I personally see this as all the stuff that you shouldn’t lose sleep over at night. What someone else thinks of you, what someone else is doing...things that shouldn’t take space up in your life, just nonsensical fillers.
'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles
'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 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. Like I said the rest is just sand, nonsensical space in your life.
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the two beers 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.
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LIFE ISN'T ABOUT WAITING FOR THE STORM TO PASS... IT'S LEARNING HOW TO DANCE IN THE RAIN, and not worrying about getting wet, messing up your hair or your clothes; that is what a dryer is for.
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 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. Like I said the rest is just sand, nonsensical space in your life.
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the two beers 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.
****************************************************************************
LIFE ISN'T ABOUT WAITING FOR THE STORM TO PASS... IT'S LEARNING HOW TO DANCE IN THE RAIN, and not worrying about getting wet, messing up your hair or your clothes; that is what a dryer is for.
I know it’s easier said than done to live life to its fullest, every single day...but at least enjoy life to its fullest every single day. I say, grab that jar full of golf balls, and just shake ‘em up, enjoy them and then go play a round with them. Because one of these days, those golf balls will all roll away, and you won’t know what happened to them if you don’t pay them the right amount of attention.
Live your life your way, on your terms, and quit worrying so much about what others are doing or think of you.
Like I said...enjoy YOUR life, not just life, but YOUR life. It’s the only one you’ve been given...so learn to live it!
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