The Mayonnaise Jar and Two Cups of Coffee

When things in your lives seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee.

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 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 an 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 family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions—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. Play with your children. 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 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.”

Found circling Facebook. 

Famous NYC Apartments: The Pads of Mad Men
Infographic created by NakedApartments.com

In February I got invited to go to Boston University’s Annual Med School Formal. I was so excited because after high school there are few things that you glamorously get dressed up for (unless you’re a celebrity, socialite or making tons of money and going to benefit gala’s and dinners). Therefore, I told everyone I was going to “prom” again and went dress hunting.

I bought three different dresses (I’ve returned one out of the three, and now have to return the second) and settled on a French Connection, mid-length cream sweetheart strapless. 

I don’t have a ton of pictures (I forgot my camera, go figure) but here they are:

Vamshi and I 

One of the few pictures I found from the actual dance!

Awkward photos never go away, even when you’re older…

Arvind and I! He looks dapper, while me, not so much…

This is a better shot of my dress. I’ve known Praveen since freshmen year - He was one of my first Indian friends at BU! 

And of course, after med-school prom happened, it spurred my curiosity of my old prom and I had to dig up pictures. Let’s do a quick (and embarrassing) flashback to 2006: 

Circa 2006, 5 years ago, age 17.

Eeek. I’m CRINGING. My hair is a mess and I have too much make up on… though my pose has stayed the same and I picked my dress wisely, because I still do love it. Maybe I’ll wear it the next time I go to Med School Prom?