Think about what is really important to you during this holiday season, when you are rushing around trying to get that 'must have' gift. What really matters with your intended target for that gift? Think small on material things and broaden your ideas to ways to really be with that person now and in the coming year. Maybe... it's more important to spend some quality time together (with or without the coffee).
The Mayonnaise Jar & Coffee
When things in your life 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 unan imous "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."
Friday, December 21, 2007
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Monday, December 3, 2007
Wellness Environments
Wow! I just returned from Florida and the Medical Fitness Association
meeting where I spoke on Health and Wellness Coaching for Chronic Disease Management and Member Retention with my colleague PJ Harder. Our talk was well received by many people interested in changing the health promotion model they use.
meeting where I spoke on Health and Wellness Coaching for Chronic Disease Management and Member Retention with my colleague PJ Harder. Our talk was well received by many people interested in changing the health promotion model they use.
The interesting thing is that integrated health is really taking off nationwide. Hospitals, cities and communities are building BEAUTIFUL sites for Integrated Wellness. There were many architects at this meeting showing off the beautiful buildings they have designed. An architect told me that their company researched 'wellness' and put a definition in their business plan! Another told me that he always makes sure a building has a Tai Chi balcony! Wow this is exciting.
Wellness is hitting the mainstream.
Let's think about environment. What is your environment like? Do you have a space that you call 'home' and feel nurtured in? What are the colors you surround yourself with? Do they stimulate or relax you? What about where you live? Where you work?
Let's think about environment. What is your environment like? Do you have a space that you call 'home' and feel nurtured in? What are the colors you surround yourself with? Do they stimulate or relax you? What about where you live? Where you work?
Work environment (even how you set up your desk at work) effects our wellbeing. Do you have access to the outdoors? Can you see out of a window? If not do you get up and go outside during your workday? Fresh air and green spaces help change our perspective and relax us from daily stresses. Even your favorite picture of the outdoors, think wonderful vacation pictures from Hawaii or Tahiti or......just the great outdoors.
There is a worldwide movement now to protect our environment and decrease our footprint. We can all do something. The WWF
recently published an article on Environment and Wellbeing. Check it out at: http://www.wwf.org.uk/filelibrary/pdf/wellbeing.pdf
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