Monday, April 26, 2010

My Mayonnaise Jar Runneth Over

Often times when people find out that I have a blog, they respond with one question:

Them: Who has time to blog?

Me: Uh.....

I'm sure they mean no offense, but truth be told, it feels like an insult rather than a question. It seems to imply that I have nothing better to do with my time. That I'm not as busy with life as them. Or that I choose to waste my time on meaningless rants and raves while they do much more worthwhile things - like watch reality television or shop. Not that those things aren't incredibly important.



I mean, God forbid we put Snooki and "The Situation," out of work due to poor ratings. And certainly we can all do our part to ignite this country's sagging economy by purchasing last year's Coach wristlet from the Poppy Collection at your nearest outlet store.

For most, discretionary time is a luxury. Those minutes come few and far between. And how one chooses to fill that time is their business - and they should own it. When people ask me why I blog, or what I blog about, I tell them it's a creative outlet for me. As my facebook page states:

"Apparently, couldn't get enough of myself on facebook, so I started a blog. How original."

I like to share. Sue me. Some people get a kick out of me. Sue them. Some people don't give a crap what I have to say. Screw them. I mean - c'est la vie (even though it doesn't rhyme).

My time to blog is usually late at night, after the kids are in bed, and often times when Big Daddy is out of town on business. In fact, that is EXACTLY why I have not been spending time in Aleighopolis, or on anyone else's blog site lately. Because Big Daddy has been home for two straight weeks. Not straight like, 24-hours a day; but fourteen straight days of no business travel. And no business trips again this week. I don't think he's spent three straight weeks in his office since we moved here over two years ago. I am enjoying turning the computer off by 10pm and spending some QT with Big Daddy. See how one must sometimes choose between leisure time activities (when in doubt, always choose your big daddy).

I have missed Aleighopolis. I have missed the other blogs that I visit often. I hope to get caught up this week, all the while remembering the story of The Mayonnaise Jar. Thanks to my friend, K, for sending this to me recently. Words to live by. (you know what other words you can live by? words like snooki and poppy. those are fun words. that's why i blog)



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 2 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 start 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
it 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 - God, family,
children, health, friends, and favorite passions
Things that if everything else was lost
and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the 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 checkups.
Take your partner out to dinner.

There will always be time
to clean the house and fix the dripping tap.

'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..'


Amen, Professor. Amen.

9 comments:

  1. I've heard this story as "Remember the Big Rocks" in a class a few years ago. I'm a visual learner, so I need visuals like this to be my reality check. Thanks, Ang,for reminder. As with other areas in life, real and cyberspace, there's always pressure to feel like we have to explain ourselves or why we do what we do to others. I'm the Queen at it.

    For what it's worth:

    Your space in blogger's world brings a laugh and smile on my face.

    Your honesty gives me courage and partnership.

    Your boldness inspires creativity and confidence.

    So....just like in the "real world".....we are all different and bring different strengths and gifts to those in our "sphere of influence"...bloggers just have the blessing of having two spheres.

    As Elmo says, "Different is Good."

    Keep on Angela Leigh - and we'll keep on reading.

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  2. I do Facebook, I have two blogs, I Tweet, I have e-mail. I watch Project Runway and Mad Men online when I have a chance, otherwise I don't watch TV. The other thing I don't do? Judge. Or at least I try. I love social media. Do I have my Christmas decor organized? Do I scrapbook? Do I make the beds every day? NOPE. And it's okay. Kudos to those who do. Gotta go back to Twitter now...missed you Aleigh!

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  3. I love the mayo jar story. And as to those who say, who has time to blog? (Or more commonly asked me, when do you have time to write a novel? I respond, "I don't watch TV. I use my brain for more intellectual purposes." OK, so I don't say the second part b/c it sounds nasty. But I don't watch TV and think I'm none the worse for wear.

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  4. That's what I'm talking about, Ladies. Own it. Don't make excuses or try to justify or apologize. Just do it.

    It's good to be back.

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  5. What a great post! And btw, what are houses going for in Aleighopolis these days? Maybe a 4 BR, 3BA place with a nice yard for the kids? Has to be in a good school district, of course, although I assume ALL of Aleighopolis is in the right part of town.

    People don't usually insinuate that I'm wasting my time with blogging. I have this staring thing I do that makes people nervous. Plus they know I've killed men for less. But if they did make a comment, I'd respond simply: "Your impudence amuses me."

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  6. What are you looking for KLM? Victorian? Arts & Crafts? Mid-century Modern? Your dreamhouse awaits.

    I'll be using that line, "Your impudence amuses me" A LOT from here on out. First, on my children. Can't wait for their blank stares.

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  7. People just don't understand blogging...unless they blog. When writing is a priority, writing happens. Time just seems to allow for it, in a meant-to-be sort of way.

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  8. My most recent insult was running into an acquaintance at the grocery store and, in the process of the ole' catch-up whatchabeenupto yada yada, I noted that my blog had been closed for a few weeks but I was going to be opening it back up soon. Her reply, "Um, Sorry but I don't have time to read my own email let alone someone else's 'blog' these days." Ouch. I didn't mean that I thought she'd be waiting in anticipation of it re-opening ... I was just answering her question.

    Of course, she looked tired; probably stressed. I'm sure it's one of those "taking it too personally" episodes. ;)

    Keep writing, lady. You rock.

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