As I enjoy vacation time with my family during the last week of 2007, I would like to share this story (author unknown) which was told to the Cornell Cooperative Extension staff by Doug Ververs, executive director.
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.
He picked up a large, empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. 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. The sand filled up all the open spaces. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous “yes.”
The professor then produced a can of beer from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar. 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 friends, your health and your favorite passions. If everything else was lost and only these things 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, 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 time for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Enjoy your family, take care of your health and do things that renew your spirit and express your creativity. If the house is not vacuumed or the laundry is not folded, who cares? Take care of the golf balls first. 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 that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a beer!”
Just a friendly reminder: As you celebrate the New Year, please drink responsibly and have a designated driver to get you home safely. Happy New Year!
Christine Gutelius, MA, RD, CDN, is a nutrition educator for Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County
Tasty Turkey Salad
Makes about 3 cups
1 1/2 to 2 cups diced roast turkey
1/4 cup chopped celery
1/4cup dried cranberries
1 apple, washed and chopped
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
1/2 cup light mayonnaise or salad dressing
Combine all ingredients in large bowl.
Cover and refrigerate at least one hour before serving to allow cranberries to soften and flavors to blend.
Before serving, check consistency and stir in more mayonnaise if needed.
Serve on a lettuce leaf, in a sandwich or in a wrap.
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.
He picked up a large, empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. 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. The sand filled up all the open spaces. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous “yes.”
The professor then produced a can of beer from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar. 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 friends, your health and your favorite passions. If everything else was lost and only these things 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, 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 time for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Enjoy your family, take care of your health and do things that renew your spirit and express your creativity. If the house is not vacuumed or the laundry is not folded, who cares? Take care of the golf balls first. 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 that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a beer!”
Just a friendly reminder: As you celebrate the New Year, please drink responsibly and have a designated driver to get you home safely. Happy New Year!
Christine Gutelius, MA, RD, CDN, is a nutrition educator for Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County
Tasty Turkey Salad
Makes about 3 cups
1 1/2 to 2 cups diced roast turkey
1/4 cup chopped celery
1/4cup dried cranberries
1 apple, washed and chopped
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
1/2 cup light mayonnaise or salad dressing
Combine all ingredients in large bowl.
Cover and refrigerate at least one hour before serving to allow cranberries to soften and flavors to blend.
Before serving, check consistency and stir in more mayonnaise if needed.
Serve on a lettuce leaf, in a sandwich or in a wrap.
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