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I came across this short essay this morning. It has been circulating for a few years so many will have read it already but it doesn`t hurt to read it again as it serves to help set priorities and provides perfect reminders. While we all think or like to believe we have our priorities in order, I find it is easy to let them slip as life rushes in and takes over my time and adjusts my vision without being invited. 
 

Every morning I get up I say to myself:

`Today you will enjoy and savour each moment, be conscious of what life has offered you, choose to stand back rather than react in negative ways, and most importantly Not Sweat the Small Stuff`

OK OK I will admit not to lecturing myself everyday but most days these self-imposed commandments do cross my mind and are duly noted 🙂

 
 

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and filled 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 roll
ed 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 your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and mow the lawn.

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.

 

 

For those who have never meditated and would like to try a very short guided meditation I found this youtube video. Please take 2.5 minutes to give it a try. Don`t be hard on yourself by thinking you can`t do it right. It is a learned art and one I am so glad I learned. I have yet to master long meditations but not sweating about it!
 
 
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Lesley Fletcher is a writer (freelance, books, content, lyrics, stage plays) as well as a visual artist with a concentration in monoprinting. To learn more about her please visit the tabs here on WordPress or her website athttp://www.LesleyFletcher.com

Peace – Have a wonderful day.