“Friendship isn’t a big thing– it’s a Million Little Things

 
One of my favorite ezines that comes across my desk is that from Scott Levitt- called "Tuesday Tactics.. To Grow Your Business". Scott is the President of Oakley Signs & Graphics and he always has wonderful words of wisdom and always seem to come at the perfect time. I think I first came across Scott because I have my Real Estate license held with the great firm of Keller Williams and am a 'referrer' for them.

Today, after returning from a very heartfelt visit to one of my dearest friends who is suffering from cancer, Scott's message on "Always Room For Coffee" written by Mike Meehan truly struck a cord.

I hope you enjoy it and also– go to Scott's website and subscribe for his wonderful ezine– brief and to the point– you always walk away with tools to grow both professionally and spiritually.

Here is what Scott writes- directly from his post:

“Friendship isn't a big thing… it's a million little things.”

Author Unknown

Once and a while I come across an inspirational piece so good that I know there's nothing I'm likely to say that will be better. When those times come (and believe me, they come more often than I like to admit!), I simply like to step back and share what I've found.

This week, instead of Scott's Thoughts, I offer you Mike Meehan's thoughts. As far as I can tell, Mike's the original author of this piece, but either way, I think you'll enjoy it. It's a little something called "The Mayonnaise Jar and Coffee," and it originally appeared on "Mike's Good Ones" here in 2004.

The Mayonnaise Jar & Coffee

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 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.

So 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… your God, family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite 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, 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. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner 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 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."