A Good Reminder for Prioritizing Life

A few months ago I found this inspiring article floating around Facebook. I was intrigued at the time because the ingredients listed made me originally think of the golf tournament my husband's side of family is starting to prepare for. I'm sure you have heard me talk about it before, but since my father-in-law passed away from melanoma, we are trying to do our part in order to help find a cure.Now however, I read it and it makes me think about prioritizing my life in the next year. Things are going to get really busy once our baby girl arrives in June. I think this will be some good advice to follow when it all feels like too much.

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle,When 24 Hours in a day is not enough,Remember the mayonnaise jar and 2 cups of coffee…

A professor stood before his philosophy classAnd had some items in front of him.When the class began, wordlessly,He picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jarAnd 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 pouredThem into the jar.He shook the jar lightly.The pebbles rolled into the openAreas 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 cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectivelyFilling 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 – family,Children, health, Friends, andFavorite 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, house, and 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.

So…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.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.’

So how do you prioritize your life and keep it all together when things seem out of control? This soon-to-be mama would love to know so please leave a comment below with any pointers you have.