> TWO GLASSES OF WINE
>
> 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
> glasses of wine theory...
>
> A professor stood before his philosophy class with some items on his
> desk in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he 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 glasses of wine 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 favourite 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', 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 good 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 holes. Do one more run down the ski
> slope. 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 wine
> 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 glasses of wine with a friend.'