Taking Time To Make Time

Life's better on the porch. That's our motto around here. We try to spend as much time together as we can and we prefer to be outdoors. It's as simple as that. The reasoning behind this simple philosophy is really quite elementary; life is short at best...try to avoid regrets by making wise choices.

I wish I could lay claim to the following story, but alas, it is not an original thought with me, and I do not know who the author was. But, with that said, it still bears repeating, so here it is.

The professor stood before his philosophy class with a few items spread out on a table in front of him. When the class settled in, he wordlessly picked up an empty jar. It was a very large mayonnaise jar. He then proceeded to fill the jar with golf balls, up to the rim. He asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

Then the professor picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. As he shook the jar lightly, the pebbles rolled into the open spaces between the golf balls. Again, he asked the students if the jar was full now. Sheepishly, they agreed that it was.

So the professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up every bit of space that had been left between the golf ball and the pebbles. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous, "YES!"

However, the professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling all the empty space. The students laughed.

"Now," said the wise instructor, "I want you to realize that this jar actually represents your life! The golf balls represent all the important things---God, your family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions---and even if EVERYTHING else was lost so that only they remained, your life would still be full."

He continued, "The pebbles are the other things that matter---your job, your house, your car; and the sand is everything else, the 'small' stuff."

"If you put the sand into the jar first, there is no room left for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same is true in life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are truly 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 on dates. Go ahead and play another eighteen holes. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal."

"So, always take care of the golf balls first! Those are the things that REALLY matter. Choose your priorities. After all, the rest is just sand."

At this point, 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 that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."

I used to sing to my children, "Cleaning and scrubbing can wait 'til tomorrow, for babies grow up---I've learned to my sorrow. So, quiet down, cobwebs! --- dust, go to sleep! I'm rocking my baby, and babies don't keep." It was a good choice. Now that they are all grown and gone, with sweet families of their own, I find that I have plenty of time to keep a nice, clean house. But, I miss the activity produced by a large family.

That thought reminds me of Red Sovine's song, "It'll Come Back." If you aren't familiar with it, find it online and listen to it. Then, call a friend, get your coffee, and go spend a few minutes on the porch.