Stress management

A professor stood before his Philosophy class and had some items infrontof him.When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and emptymayonnaise 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 thejar.He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areasbetweenthe 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 cups of coffee from under the table andpoured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the emptyspace 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 are the important things - your God, family, yourchildren,your health, your friends, and your favorite passions - things that ifeverything else was lost and only they remained, your life would stillbefull."The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, yourhouse,and your car."The sand is everything else--the small stuff."If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is noroomfor the pebbles or the golf balls."The same goes for life."
If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you willneverhave 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 checkups.
Take your partner 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 coffeerepresented.The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked
JJJJJ"It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem,there's always room for a cup of coffee with a friend."JJJJ
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