Amphitheater High School, Class of 1962
Ed Anderson and Joyce (Cooper) Anderson
Date: Sat, 26 Jul 2003 21:39:40 -0700
From: Joyce <eajahm@cox.net>
Intro to Philosophy
The professor stood before his Philosophy 101 class. He had some
items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly he picked
up a large 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. So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured
them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles,
of course, 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 picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of
course, the sand filled up everything else. He then once more asked if
the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous ---
yes. The professor then produced two cans of beer from under the
table and proceeded to pour 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 partner, your health,
your children, your friends, your favorite passions --- things that 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, 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 your 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 important to your happiness. Play with
your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out
dancing. Play another 18 holes. There will always be time to go to
work, clean the house, give a dinner party 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. "I'm glad you asked. That
just shows that no matter how full your life may seem, there is always
room for a couple of beers."
Ed Anderson
and Joyce (Cooper) Anderson are living at:
536 Jade Cliffs Ln
Las Vegas, NV 89144
(702) 314-0616
Ed's cell 702-524-6501
Joyce's cell 702-595-1058
e-mail address eajahm@cox.net (9/2003)
From: JEANNETTE VECCHIO
[mailto:jansings@quiknet.com]
Sent: Tuesday, October 15, 2002 8:36 PM
To: cjones@technidigm.org
Subject: Fw: Charles Schultz Philosophy
Hi, Charlie: This [see below] was forwarded
by
Joyce and Ed Anderson, who weren't at the (great) reunion. I
thought
it might be appropriate for the CD on their web page.
Jan
You don't actually have to take the quiz. Just read
the email straight through, and you'll get the point (an awesome
one) that it's trying to make!
Take this quiz:
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America
contest.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or
Pulitzer
prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners
for
best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series
winners.
How did you do?
The point is, none of us remember the headliners
of
yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in
their
fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are
forgotten.
Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.
Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey
through
school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through
a
difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something
worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel
appreciated
and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time
with.
6. Name half a dozen heroes whose stories have
inspired
you.
Easier?
The lesson:
The people who make a difference in your life are
not
the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most
awards.
They are the ones that care.
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