Monday, November 16, 2009

I'm breathing!

Thank you sooo much for all the lovely messages of support I've received over the past few hours. I have tears in my eyes reading them...I think you all picked up on the note of hysteria in my last post! To be honest, I don't think I have ever felt quite so close to drowning in my life before! At lunchtime today, I left the chainsaws behind and went and had a cuddle with my twin nieces...something I have done far too little of lately! Then I came home, read your messages and said a little prayer and I feel so much more at peace now. Many of you told me to just keep on breathing, and I am!
In my emails there was one from a lovely friend of mine, Sam, and the timing was just impeccable. Some of you may have seen it before, but it was just a perfect reminder for me, having just come home from cuddling 2 little precious golf balls of my own!

The Mayonnaise Jar
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 2 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 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 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 - family, children, health, friends, and favourite passions – Things that 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, house, and 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. So...
Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children, take time to get medical checkups; take your partner out to dinner; stamp (I added that bit!).
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 coffee represented. The professor smiled. '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.'

I know I'm very lucky to have so many golf balls in my life :o)

8 comments:

  1. I have always loved this story too and very apt indeed :) Shame there are so many states in between us, otherwise I'd love to be sharing one of those coffees with you...

    Smooches!

    S x

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  2. A beautiful story. Thanks for sharing Marelle,

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  3. Thank you for reminding me about my golf balls, of which I am truely blessed. I will sleep better tonight not worrying about the sand. Jo

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  4. Hay Marelle, Hang in there, I know the feeling well and that little phrase is so true. I have learnt over the last 6 months, (since Kayla was diagnosed) to live one day at a time and cherrish every moment also. Thank you for the cards at Tamaras party. One day I will actually get to a party. I dont have much time to stamp these days, but when I do I cherrish it alot. Thinking of you.
    Julie

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  5. Hi Marelle!

    Just wanted to check in and see how you are today! Hope you slept well and have a beautiful relaxing cuppa at somepoint today! Am thinking of you!

    Karen
    x

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  6. Janine Rawlins17/11/09 10:56 pm

    Hi Marelle, Great story! Hope everything fits into it's space for you. Best wishes.

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  7. Oh Wow!! You've got a lot on at the moment eh?? I too wish I was a bit closer, i'd love to share a coffee with you...in the 10.2 seconds of spare time you *might* have in between all the rest of the stuff!!! LOL Hope all goes well and remember to just take 5 minutes in the morning to breathe deeply before you start your day!! {I can vouch for that one! :-)}

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  8. Thanks for sharing this. Off to cuddle my golf balls. Hope the renovations go smoothly Marelle.
    Take care, Sue

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