Little Egypt Heritage Articles Stories of Southern Illinois (c) Bill Oliver 6 June 2004 Vol 3 Issue: #22 ISBN: pending Osiyo, Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen of Little Egypt, June 6th 1875 [ten years before the birth of Grandma Oliver] marks the birth of Thomas Mann, the German Noble novelist, who was among those of an intellectual movement that sought to bring closer harmony among peoples. Psychologically, a cup of coffee upon rising for the day is a must. Also, all my life I have preferred "real" mayonnaise to that other spread on my bread. I liken it to my Dad's insistence for using butter and not oleomargarine. [Remember those little packets of coloring that had to be mixed with your oleo?] There are few things original, but there are always new things to experience. Barb and I have two Grandchildren graduating from High School this week. The following story is my commencement address to them. It is about mayonnaise and coffee. I heard this story some years ago and recently read a copy. Unfortunately, I do not know the author. It begins: A college professor standing before his philosophy class had some items lying in front of him on the desk. When the class began, he picked up a large [very large ... restaurant size] and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. Without debate they agreed that it was so. The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He shook the jar gently, to allow the maximum number of pebbles to enter the jar. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Once more, with a little shaking, the sand filled up any remaining space. Once again he asked the students if the jar was full. They responded with an unanimous "yes". The professor then produced two cups of coffee from one of the lower desk drawers and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty spaces between the sand. Riotous laughter was the reaction of the students. When the laughter had subsided, the professor said, "Now, I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things -- your God, your Family, your future 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 -- all that small stuff. "If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is not 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 holes. 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." At this point one of the students raised a hand and asked what the coffee represented. The professor exhibited a slow smile and a twinkle in his eye. "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, Kate and Blake, congratulations and when things in your life seem almost two much to handle, when twenty-four hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar, and the coffee. e-la-di-e-das-di ha-wi nv-wa-do-hi-ya nv-wa-to-hi-ya-da. (May you walk in peace and harmony) Wado, Bill -=- PostScript: It is my intention to take a week off. See you on the 20th of June. = = = = http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/index/SOIL http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/index/ILMASSAC http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ne/state/BillsArticles/LittleEgypt/intro.html