A Balancing Act with a “Mayonnaise Jar & 2 Beers”


This post is by no means original, but it’s worth repeating as we all swirl around in our busy lives, prioritizing, juggling and re-prioritizing.  What’s also lovely about this post, is that my friend K, one of the G8 (my Ya-Yas) sent it to me so that I might specifically share it on my blog, and to her I am most grateful.

Sharing things that everyone might find inspiring goes to the very heart of what I want ‘mynewfavoriteday’ to be. A place for inspiration and community. So thank you K for reminding us all, to focus on the golf balls in our lives…thank you for being one of my golfballs.
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.

Mayonnaise Jar & Two 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 a 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 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.

Please share this with someone you care about.

I JUST DID!

I hope that today is ‘yournewfavoriteday.’ Thanks for being a golf ball y’all!

(Image shared from riprock81.blogspot.com)

10 thoughts on “A Balancing Act with a “Mayonnaise Jar & 2 Beers”

  1. I learned this in 2006 when I was diagnosed with breast cancer…do not sweat the small stuff…life is short…keep your focus on positive…my attitude…ok how is my attitdue going to handle it? Yah yah…I agree and love it. Thank you for the reminder:)

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