The Mayonnaise Jar and 2 Cups of Coffee

When things in out lives seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the two 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 all agreed that it was.

The professor then picked us 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 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. If everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter-your job, your house, 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 golf balls or the pebbles. 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 friendship."

(Courtesy of Harnish Lincoln Mercury auto dealership.)

Rarely do I post song lyrics as a post, but this one is deeply important to me. There have been times in my life where I have not been the kind of a friend that I would want. If I have ever been that way to you, you have my honest apology. I am and will try to be a better friend.

Friends Are Friends Forever
Michael W. Smith

Packing up the dreams God planted
In the fertile soil of you
Can't believe the hopes He's granted
Means a chapter in your life is through
But we'll keep you close as always
It won't even seem you've gone
'Cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong

Chorus:
And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say "never"
'Cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long to live as friends.

With the faith and love God's given
Springing from the hope we know
We will pray the joy you'll live in
Is the strength that now you show
But we'll keep you close as always
It won't even seem you've gone
'Cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong

Chorus

There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship.
-Saint Thomas Aquinas

Friendship is a single soul dwelling in two bodies.
-Aristotle

The most I can do for my friend is simply be his friend.
-Henry David Thoreau


I've decided that today's topic will be friendship. I have been throughly blessed to have my friends. I can immediately think of quite a few people who would instantly go to bat for me; people who have my back, even if it's pushed into a corner.

I heard a saying once that really struck me and I will try to repeat it as best as my memory will allow it. It goes: The true measure of a man is not his wealth of money, but his wealth of friends. I had a similar statement that I had made to a friend lately: "Life is way too short to hold grudges and the more people who cry at your funeral, the better you've lived."

Life changes everything, but if you can keep as many of your original friends, you've kept your greatest treasures. I guess you can equate it like this: Friendship is like wine; aging it only makes it better. There are some friends that I have that have lasted fifteen years or longer. That means that when we became friends and a child was born, that child is now in high school and probably driving. It's not until you stop and put it into perspective that it really blows your mind like that.

I have some friends right now who can practically read my mind. All I have to do is either show up or say "hi" and they know exactly what's going on. They know what emotions I'm experiencing and why I am experiencing them. I swear, I wouldn't be surprised if some of my friends know me better than I know them. I wouldn't be surprised one bit.

But that's the beauty of it all. The fact that we're so close and we've gone through so much together, it makes the friendship that much stronger and more meaningful. I know that when I ask them about something, I am going to get their honest opinion. I know for a fact that they are looking out for me and honestly have my best intentions at heart. I'm not sure where I would be if it weren't for my friends.

Anyway, I'm getting off my soapbox now. In closing, I hope that you will listen to the song "Friends are Friends Forever" by Michael W. Smith. I found that it nails what a close friendship is all about. Take care of yourself out there and I will post again soon.