When You're Feeling Down

Lately I have been having a lot of fairly large "life decisions" weighing on my mind.  I've been wondering which decision is right and which is wrong, trying not to upset one person or another and being way too concerned about minimal things in life.  I have been feeling nervous, scared & anxious.  Trust me, I don't like feeling like that.  It isn't healthy to do that to yourself.  I am sure that some of you can relate.  I tend to over analyze and I blame that on my type A personality.

Many of us get caught up in things like our career, physical appearance, who our friends are and how nice of a house we have.  It is easy to lose sight of the most important things.  Every once in a while I will get the swift kick in the rear that I need to remind me that I need to stop worrying so much, let go and let it fall where it may. 

I am going to enjoy all the snuggles, smiles & kisses my son gives me.  I won't take for granted the love my husband holds for me in his heart.  I want to always makes sure I take the time to have conversations with my family.  It is important for me to tell everyone who I care deeply about that I love them.  I am going to smile big, laugh till it hurts, love with everything I have, treasure every second of everyday and I won't sweat the small stuff anymore!

One of my friends that knew I have been having a hard time lately shared the following story with me.  It was just the thing I needed to read to make me smile, appreciate all that I have and get me back to what matters most.

peace & love

bj

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 2 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.