Something thoughtful and nice to start the week

A friend sent this to me this morning and, since we have to deal with all this negative stuff here and for a foreseeable future, let's keep in mind what is really important since it will be ironically all that is left anyway.

> A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in
> front of him When the class began he wordlessly 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
> 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 once again if the
> jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "YES".
>
> The professor then produced two beers 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 family, your children, your health, your
> friends, and your favorite passion---and 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.
> Spend time with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit
> with grandparents. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your
> spouse 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 beer
> represented. The professor smiled and said, "I'm glad you asked."
>
> "The beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem,
> there's always room for a couple of beers with a friend."