Set your priorities

This is by far one of the best fwd I have ever received!!
>
> *
> 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 - 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 cup of coffee with a friend."