The Sweet and the Bitter Chocolate in the Family

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

mayonnaise jar, golf balls, pebbles, sand and coffee

I was cleaning my inbox and stumbled upon this interesting email from a friend. Please read:


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 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 a 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.
1) The golf balls are the important things - family,children, health, Friends, and Favourite passions – Things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, Your life would still be full.
2) The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, house, and car.
3) 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 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.' Please share this with other "Golf Balls" I just did......

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Selamat Hari Raya Part 2

daniel, deena, me, mak, bapak, dinie, azhar and delailah


Eid Mubarak away from family (parents n brothers and sisters) is of course a sad scenario. However, work, time and money play a role. As the saying goes, we cant always have everything we want. Anyway, after 2 rayas in Bangi/Penang/Tg Karang, I'm back again in Sabah and the rotation will be Sabah / Penang / Tg Karang / Sabah ... and the cycle goes round until me and family move (if we do move).

Being in Sabah, I am lucky because since end 1998 (the first time I moved to Sabah), me and family have found a place to call kampung/home on the first day of Eid Mubarak. Each time we do not go home to Penang/Tg Karang, we will surely head to Tuaran (last time it was nearer - Tmn Nelly, Kelombong) after prayers. This year is no difference except that my friend (mak and bapak eldest child) is not around this year.

All in all, where ever you I spend my raya, it's okay with me cause I have my hubby and children. I got friends and neighbours to visit too and they visit me too. Sometimes I wonder why people quarrel on where to spend the first day of raya. To my memory, alhamdullillah, I have never been in that situation yet.

Selamat Hari Raya. Maaf zahir batin to whoever is reading this 'luahan hati'.