Time

Our most valuable asset. We all have the same amount. It is non-negotiable. You cannot beg, borrow, steal or buy more. It is constant. Past. Present. Future. Why does it seem that you have more time than me? Why do you seem to accomplish more than me?

I think the most effective explanation is found in the story of the mayonnaise jar and two cups of coffee. There is deep value in this story. I urge you to read it twice.

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 filled it with large rocks.

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 bigger rocks.

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 large rocks are the important things – your 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 large rocks. 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 faucet. Take care of the large rocks 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.”

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Challenge: Identify your "large rocks" this week and re-focus on them!

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Are you focusing on your large rocks? Are you writing in your journal? Have you ask your wife or child to "hold on" while you finished your text, opened an email, or scrolled social media? Don't fill your jar with sand and expect the large rocks to fit too.

What are your large rocks and how are you focusing or refocusing on them? How can I help you? I'd love to hear from you in the comments below...