Thursday, May 3, 2007

There's More to Life Than Negative Comments

This was an email that got circulated a couple of years ago and I think it is worth repeating. If some of you have seen this before, read it again! The basic message applies to all of us and especially for those of you that get upset over negative comments. Don't let negativity get you down, who cares what other people think of you, your B/Vlog is your opinion and everyone is entitled to their own. If you don't like the way other people think, agree to disagree and move on. There are more important things to life than a bad comment!

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 cups of coffee...

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly began to fill the large, empty mayonnaise jar with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. Many agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar and the pebbles rolled into the open spaces between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

Next, the professor 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 desk and poured both cups into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

"Now," said the professor, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things-- your God, family, your children, your health, friends and your favorite passions -- things that 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, 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 check-ups. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18 holes. 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 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 time for a couple cups of coffee with a friend."

1 comment:

Jared said...

This has already been done by Forrest Smith! :-)

http://web.mac.com/mediaforrest/iWeb/VDF/Vlog/D250C7F2-162A-4A8F-A050-AED340B440B9.html