Life And A Can Of Beer

bnsaijim

This appeared yesterday on "ClayArt". Forgive me if you subscribe and/or have already seen it. Kinda reminded of something that Martin guy might post ;^) Anyhow, enjoy and share...


LIFE AND A CAN OF BEER

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 beer.
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items 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. So 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 cans of beer 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--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,
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 partner 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 beer
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 beers."



Jim Stone
TX

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Bart Thomas(deceased)

Actually, I think I first saw this in one of Ron's newsletters.

Jay

Jim, I have seen it before, but it is well worth reading again. It does put things in the proper prospective... even for those of us who don't (won't) play golf!

Jay

__________________
A Bonsai student living with his trees at N 44.37 W 77.49...
Think before you act... then think again... no good comes from rushing

RonMartin(deceased)

Never did figure out why I became so closely associated with a can of beer. I do drink beer ( about 4 or 5 cans a year ) But that is ok. It is better than a lot of things that I could be associated with ;o)
Wished I could say that I wrote the above article. It is a good one. But I am not that talented.
I did once say that ones bonsai always looks a bit better when viewed over the top of a beer can. A comment that did not set too well with some. But then very few things I say are universally accepted.
I could see how some parables could be drawn between that mason jar and how bonsai is done though.
Sometimes the work and the fun scales are a bit out of balance. A lot more laughing could be done around the old bonsai work stand. A bit more tolerance.
Guess that could be said about a lot of things though.

bnsaijim

Ron,

Hey, I didn't associate you with the beer- I know better- the philosophical musings however... ;^)


Not the same effect if I told it using a bottle of whiskey...

I'm finding I can't create too well under the influence- I just want to nap.

And we all know I can't wire worth a fertilizer cake either!

Had a few beers with a co-worker last night- wife and kids are back up in Pennsyltucky- was gonna clean up one of my junipers right there in the living room... I fell asleep on the couch... ;^)

Jim

RonMartin(deceased)

Yep I do like my whiskey flavored cokes.
But as usual I was just musing.

Bart Thomas(deceased)

Gee, Ron!

You know, of course, that a little gin does wonders for styling junipers.

Perhaps it's the juniper in the jin....

RonMartin(deceased)

I know you Bart. I can't imagine you not cutting up a bit no matter what you are doing. There is a littlle bit of the devil in you ;o)

Jerry Meislik

I have never read this bit of wisdom, but it is delightful. Perhaps I will steal it and use it someday.
Jerry Meislik
Whitefish Montana USA
Zone 4-5
http://www.bonsaihunk.8m.com/

__________________
Jerry Meislik
Whitefish Montana USA
Zone 4-5
http://www.bonsaihunk.us/