The little things in our lives

This is a little something I found a few years back. It seems to really aply to my life now. I wanted to share it with all of you. It gives you something to think about.

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."
 We need to choose wisely...as God always has time for us...
 and He provides great earthly friends too!