The Mayonnaise Jar and Two Cups of Coffee

When things in your lives 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 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 an unanimous “yes.”

The professor then produced two cups of coffee 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. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. 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 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 room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.”

Lord I know you’re doing something but it’s real uncomfortable right now…

so i feel like this have been my “catch phrase” i’ve been saying it so much over the last 2 and a bit months. it’s been an uncomfortable, and kinda lonely couple of months. i’ve been facing new trials like living out of home and old trials like depression. if you haven’t read my testimony it’s here. it’ll help you understand that my battle with depression has been a long one. and yes it’s a battle, i’m still in the fight!

so yes it hasn’t been the best couple of months (feelings wise) but I know whatever God is doing it’ll work out for my good and His glory. time is just a small factor where you’re father is the author of it. patience, this i am getting an in-depth study into. so I’m sure to come out a pro. 

all in all I know there is pain in my purpose!

The glass of water

Pessimist - the glass is half empty
Optimist - the glass is half full
Realist - it’s a glass of water
Opportunist - while the Pessimist, Optimist, Realist are arguing the Opportunist drank the water.

Today is such a fantastic day! Not for any exciting particular reason it just feels fantastic!

I love days like this.

So I haven’t updated much in a while (I started another blog and haven’t updated that either lol) but now that life is calming down a bit I will fill you in…

So 3 weeks ago this Saturday I moved out of home, started a new job, got a call about the crash I was in on Christmas eve and God decided in the midst of all this that He would re-wire my brain. Removing thoughts, habits and mentalities that were not so great. But I love it!

So I moved in with some really good friends and out of my parents. Timing was perfect, circumstances may not have been what I had wanted at the time but looking back it couldn’t have been better timing! And along with that I got a new job working at every students dream place STARBUCKS! And it is so enjoyable, lovely staff (really couldn’t have asked for better staff to work with!) I’m learning some great new skills, and drinking way too much coffee he he.
Then this week I got the phone call I had been hoping to avoid, a Summons for a court hearing about the crash I was involved in but upon actually greeting the piece of paper I discovered I don’t need to appear in court just write in an explanation, so now I just have to wait to see what happens next.
And on top of all this God is “re-wiring” my thoughts! But despite this being all so crazy I feel great!
Life is made to be lived why settle for less!
Also I shared my fist original spoken word to an audience of one (so privileged!) and I really wanna get some more written and to preform them! I felt so nervous sharing this with my friend but after doing so I felt so encouraged and motivated.

I’ve always thought that if just one person were to read/listen to my poetry/music and catch what I’m trying to say then I’ve done what I needed to.

I’ll be posting some more poetry sooooon!

Love and blessings
Rachel