When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day is not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and two cups of coffee.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him.

When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and fills 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 it 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 cups of coffee 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 - God, family,
children, health, friends, and favorite passions. Things, that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the things that matter like your job, house, and car. The sand is everything else -- the small stuff.” he said.

“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...” he told them.

“So... pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Worship with your family. Play with your children. Take your partner out to dinner. Spend time with good friends. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the dripping tap. 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 coffee represented.

The professor smiled and said, “I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.”

Ah the power of the mind!

Have been thinking a lot of late as to the awesome power of the mind, how it can be used to help us as well as how it can , if left unchecked, ruin us.


Most by now have at least heard of the power of mediation, and the like for controlling pain and even some illness.


Yet so many leave there fantasies run rampant, not that fantasy is bad, it can add much enjoyment to ones life, provided one keeps it in check.

 

It is when one starts to believe or falls for the "idea" of an unrealistic fantasy, that is when that very fantasy can destroy a person, and others in it's wake.


The internet has opened a whole new world. For many it is a place to live out a fantasy of one sort or another, often time to the dismay of another person. Yet most are also aware of this.


What I have been contemplating is something much more disabling.

It is what happens when one searches for another on-line. We all have done this at one time or another, we set expectations, and look for that "one" to fulfill these expectations.

Yet I ask you to consider what happens when one has put so much thought into what they are looking for in another that they have very rigid and narrow view of what that person (their "one") will be like, their looks, their age, their likes and dislikes, perhaps even their reactions.

Indeed what happens when the fantasy of their "one" has become so real to them that no true person could ever hope to fulfill?

They would search so hard truly believing that they are looking for their "one", when in fact what they seek is their fantasy. They begin talking with someone who may show signs of being that fantasy even fall "in love" with them.Only to, in time, find that they are simply a person not a fulfillment of the fantasy. The pain and true heart break they must feel. For they have once again lost their true love; their fantasy.


I wonder whether they would, even at this point, know on any level that they have in fact fallen deeply in love with their fantasy rather than the person currently representing that fantasy? Do they ever run a reality check? Would they ever be able to truly appreciate that which they have, or would they simply have such a deep passion for the fantasy that they would simply have to continue the search. Would a wake-up call even help? Or would the fantasy at this point be such a deep part of them that they would rather lose all then look at their feelings and fantasy and see it for what is is, an unattainable dream?


Then what of those who get caught up in this fantasy, those to whom the fantasy is currently the embodiment of the fantasy, those who believe they are starting a relationship with someone, those who believe the "I love you" is intended for them not knowing that it is, in fact, the fantasy the other is in love with not them, they are simply the current form the fantasy has taken.

How heart breaking for them when they find that things are not as they had thought. Do they get caught up in that fantasy, try to become it? Or simply accept the heart break and move on.


Ah yes the awesome power of the mind.


As a foot note.   I am not looking for anyone to start a relationship with. I do enjoy talking with people and making new friends, that is the only reason that this profile is still on.

Life has become very busy...looking for a job in Las Vegas is proving to be a bit tougher than I had thought...will find something although I am sure! Having lots of interviews!! So wish me luck! To my friends...sorry I have not been on to talk. Give me time I will return to chat :) first things first you know!