Lowmans Arizona Funeral Home
“The Mayonnaise Jar and 2 Cups of Coffee”
Greetings fellow Villagers and Happy Summer!! My twin sister, Karin, (Car-in) recently shared a story and sermon that was presented before her congregation at church that really inspired me and made me pause and think about the true gifts in my life. I hope and pray that it strikes a chord with you, as well, and helps you to keep things in perspective. Please understand that I did not write this, but found it heart warming and valuable enough to share.
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front 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 and the pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar, again lightly shaking it. Of course, the sand filled up every other area in the jar. The professor again asked his students 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 of both cups 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 – God, your family, your children, your health, friends, and your favorite passions – and, if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.”
“The pebbles represent 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 of your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are really important to you.”
“Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Spend time with God, your children, your spouse, your parents, and visiting your grandparents. Take the time to get medical checkups; take your spouse to dinner; play another 18 holes of golf. 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. Upon hearing the question, the professor smiled and said, “I’m glad you asked. The coffee just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for a couple cups of coffee with a friend.”
If you were given $86,400 every day and had to spend it all daily, what would you spend it on? You see, God gives us 86,400 seconds every day, to spend. How are we each spending this “gift” of time? Are we focusing on the “golf balls” (the ‘treasures’ of God, family, health, friends, favorite passions)? Are we growing spiritually, connecting and cherishing time with our family and friends? Are we taking care of our health so that we can serve and care for others? Or are we spending our entire ‘gift’ on the sand?
Life is a gift. Make every second count. We have yet to hear, while someone was on their death bed, that they wished that they had done one more load of laundry, washed another sink full of dishes, or had fixed a leaky sink. The biggest regret has always been the lack of quality time spent with those that they cherish the most.
May your life become richer by spending more time on and with your “golf balls”. As always, thank you for taking the time to read this article. Bill and Ingried Lowman are available 24/7 at (602) 276-3601, toll free (877) 276-3601, fax (602) 276-3601, or e-mail us at lowmansarizonafuneralhome.com.
of these youngsters require specialized care. To overcome their obstacles, they need help from you and the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation. Established in 1954, the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation was developed as a repository of funds from individuals who wished to contribute to the betterment of children in this country. Our foremost philanthropic priority is to provide other nonprofit organizations with the means to educate the public about the special needs of children across this nation.
