Focus on the best things in life

This week I had an interesting conversation with a friend. He has recently begun a new job in a new country. We were discussing the reasons and effects of such bold life changes and as I was inquiring if he was happy in his new life, he posed an interesting question to me.

Betsy, he asked: "If you only had five years left to live, then where would you want to be, what would you want to be doing and who would you want to be with?"

This really set me thinking as I am sure it will of anyone to whom you pose the same question.

As my friend says, considering this really helps you put things into perspective. He emailed me the following little story, which helps highlight the need to focus on the important people and things in life. Apologies if you have seen this before, but it is worth reading again.

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 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 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 recognise 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 check-ups.

Take your partner out to dinner.

"There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal unit. 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."

So, this week, share this with the 'golf balls' in your life, restructure your five-year life plan and remember to count your blessings.