Mayonnaise Jar & Two Beers

Ran across this elsewhere and couldn't help but share:

Mayonnaise Jar & Two Beers...

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 a unanimous 'yes.'
The professor then produced two Beers 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.

Spend time with your children.

Spend time with your parents.

Visit with grandparents.

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 Beer represented.

The professor smiled and said, 'I'm glad you asked.'

The Beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of Beers with a friend.

Very good! Love the message, too.

reply to post by Signals


Mmmm... Beer and Mayonnaise.

Great story.

reply to post by Signals


A very wise person.

Is he real? And if so, where does he teach?

reply to post by Signals


Loved it but it seems too positive for a philosophy class.

That was a great way to look at life.

Thank you for sharing that.

reply to post by Signals


That is a very beautiful way of showing what is truly important, and I want to thank you for sharing it. Everyone tends to get so caught up in the quicksand of life, that it is over before we ever have the opportunity to experience the fullness of it. Now, time to call a couple old friends over for a couple of beers. Thank you.

reply to post by eatbliss


Beer is God good!

reply to post by Signals
Lol..I am new to ATS and I realize the One sentence rule...But, dang it, that's how I think..Anyway..When i saw the thread...My first thought was...There where many occasions that i opened my refrigerator only to find a jar of Mayonnaise and two beers..lol..anyway..carry on with the discussion

Nice. Thanks for sharing.

reply to post by Signals


I liked the beer part. The rest was just sand.