thanksgiving...every day...

i read a snipet of a blog the other day that really resonated with me...here is a portion of it...taken from "cyndi monroe - unscripted"

"It's funny how Thanksgiving rolls around and it seems there is a nation-wide urge to suddenly become grateful or, at the very least, a willingness to publicly acknowledge "an attitude of gratitude". You know what I am talking about. Politicians and celebrities get their "God voice" on and, speaking in dulcet tones, inform us how thankful they are. Then to prove it, they spend four hours of one day serving at the homeless shelter (photo op nirvana). That makes me somehow want to NOT say anything, not jump on the band wagon, so to speak. I really am overwhelmingly grateful to my Lord for his constant, pervasive generosity that I find I don't want to get mixed up with the "fair weather" thankers (does that make sense?)."

i love when someone writes so eloquently what i am thinking...but don't know how to quite put it into words...honestly..i don't think i could have written it as well...

even this last week...on facebook...there were so many wonderful gratitude status updates...including my own...but as the holidays roll in...it is a constant thought on my mind...why is it...that we celebrate family & friends so openly during this time of year...and then it seems to come to this abrupt halt...

not that we stop being thankful and loving...but it shouldn't be only on a designated day...just like valentine's day...why should feb 14th be the day that one proclaims their love openly to their significant "other"...

one of my favorite christmas songs is "don't save it all for christmas day" by avalon...i even blogged about it last year...here it is if you would like to see the lyrics...the first time i heard the words of this song...it rang in my heart...so strongly...

so...yes...this thanksgiving...i hope that you were thankful for all that the Lord has blessed you with...and this coming holiday season...i hope that you will love and hug your friends and family...but how great to continue in that through out the year...

the most wonderful moments for me have been telling someone in my life...whether friend or family...that i am thankful for them...or that i love them...in the most unexpected moments...with no fanfare...no one around...

thanksgiving should be everyday...especially for those of us who have been blessed with knowing the wonderful love and mercies of our Lord & Savior...

turkey, chocolate & family...

i am still smiling from our family thanksgiving festivities...although everyone could not be there...it was a wonderful family celebration...

one of the things i love about my mom...is how she loves to open up her home to others...i remember that from when i was a little girl...till now...she loves entertaining...and she is always looking for those who might not have somewhere to go on a holiday...

there were many times when i still lived at home...that she would ask if i had any friends who had no where to go...to invite them to our holiday dinners...so last nite was no exception...to her...friends ARE family...she invited my sister-in-laws famly over...because...they are family..even if only through marriage...

there was so much laughter around the table..our family...when together...well...we get kinda loud...as i sat back a few times last nite...and listened to everyone talking...and laughing...and telling stories...it warmed my heart...this was family...and this is one of the things that my mom taught me...how to open up your home to others...

the surprise of course...for me...was when my sister-in-law came out of the kitchen with a chocolate birthday cake for me...it was so unexpected...and such a lovely surprise...they all were laughing at me...because of my chocolate overload last year...
here is the story of my birthday cakes last year entitled "chocolate birthday cake...nothing better..." they were half expecting me to bring my own cake again...but when do i do what is "expected?" tee-hee

it was a wonderful day...and a reminder of all the good things...the simple things that make life sweeter...

thanksgiving 09

today is thanksgiving...a day of thankfulness...the thing is...although it is a wonderful day...we...especially we as christians should be thankful every day...and as much as i try to be...sometimes i let my circumstances get the best of me...but when i bring myself down to reality...there is one constant in my life...and that is the Lord Jesus Christ...He has never failed me...He has never left me...He has never stopped loving me...

wow...

that is truly overwhelming...

and for that...i am grateful!

i have been blessed with an amazing family...and amazing friends...

and for that...i am thankful...

He knows what i need...when i need it most...

the one thing about writing a blog...is that it is a cool barometer in checking where your life was at certain points...especially with my memory...that comes in handy...every once in a while i will look back and read over a month...and feel those emotions...see the growth...see the love...see all the things i am blessed with...

this morning i re-read last year's thanksgiving post...and although it came months after a very dark time...His presence in my life was so evident...and the words i wrote that morning...a year ago...still ring so true in my life...

one thing i know...is how undeserving of His love i am...but He loves me dispite myself...

thank you Lord for another year of life...of health, happiness, love, and even the rain...for without it...i wouldn't have the rainbow afterwards...

here is last years post...thanksgiving morning...

three things...

three things in life that you should never lose...
hope
peace
honesty

three things in life that are most valuable...
love
family & friends
kindness

three things in life that are never certain...
fortune
success
dreams

three things that make a person...
commitment
sincerity
hard work

three things that are truly constant...
Father - Son - Holy Spirit

i ask the Lord to bless you...
as i pray for you today...
to guide you and protect you...
as you go along your way...
God's love is always with you...
God's promises are true...
and when you give God all your cares...
you know God will see you through...

embracing imperfection...

wow...this is my 300th post...who knew i had so much to say? 8)

being the week of thanksgiving...i am thankful for so many things...to my wonderful Lord & Savior who is always by my side...through the worst of times and the best of times...thank you Lord for your mercies...that are new each morning...

and to my family and friends...thank you for your love...and for embracing my imperfections for years and years... 8) i am so grateful for each and every one of you...

may your thanksgiving be full of much love...and lots of turkey (yum yum!)

my girlfriend sent me this little story this week...a reminder how the smallest things become big things...

embracing imperfection...

When I was a little girl, my Mom liked to make breakfast food for dinner every now and then. And I remember one night in particular, when she had made breakfast after a long, hard day...at work. On that evening so long ago, my Mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage and extremely burned toast in front of my Dad. I remember waiting to see if anyone noticed! Yet all my Dad did was reach for his toast, smile at my Mom, and ask me how my day was at school. I don't remember what I told him that night, but I do remember watching him smear butter and jelly on that toast and eat every bite!

When I got up from the table that evening, I remember hearing my Mom apologize to my Dad for burning the toast. And I'll never forget what he said: ”Baby, I love burned toast.”

Later that night, I went to kiss Daddy good night and I asked him if he really liked his toast burned. He wrapped me in his arms and said, Your Momma put in a hard day at work today, and she's real tired. And besides - a little burnt toast never hurt anyone!

You know, life is full of imperfect things......and imperfect people. I'm not the best housekeeper or cook. What I've learned over the years is that learning to accept each other's faults - and choosing to celebrate each other's differences - is one of the most important keys to creating a healthy, growing, and lasting relationship.

And that's my prayer for you today. That you will learn to take the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of your life and lay them at the feet of God. Because in the end, He's the only One who will be able to give you a relationship where burnt toast isn't a deal-breaker! We could extend this to any relationship in fact - as understanding is the base of any relationship, be it a husband-wife or parent-child or friendship!

"Don't put the key to your happiness in someone else's pocket - keep it in your own."

We'll be friends until we are old and senile. Then we'll be new friends!

another year...

another year...another fabulous birthday...the best part...it isn't even close to being over...love that!

had a wonderful weekend full of much celebration with friends...family...basically felt very very loved...

as i look at my calendar...i see many more birthday celebrations still in store for me...which means...lots of laughter...lots of dessert...yumster!

last nite...i went back and re-read all the wonderful birthday wishes on facebook...on twitter...on email...on voicemail...and in birthday cards...God really showed me just how much love i have in my life...not that i didn't realize it before...but i think...sometimes...we get so caught up in the "stuff" that we lose sight of it...maybe just a little...

what it comes down to...for me...is that i have a wonderful circle of support around me...and for that...i am forever grateful...

yes...a birthday means that age number is growing...but seriously...who has time to even ponder upon that...it is...after all...just a number...i choose to look at it as a great time period that i have been able to accumulate many wonderful people in my life...

my birthday...

wow...what a week it has been...birthday celebrations have officially been underway...and continue... =)

gotta love it...seriously...

today...on my birthday...as on every birthday...i cannot tell you how overwhelmed with love i am...i write often times in the blog about my friends and family...i guess i never want to get to where i take it for granted...

i truly...sometimes...do not understand why i was blessed with so many wonderful people in my life...some for 30 to 40 years...and i am thankful for each and everyone of them...

this week has been full of drink get togethers...lunches, dinners...and today...my birthday...is no exception...my dad took me out for birthday lunch...tonite i am being taken out to san francisco...

and as i look at my calender in the days and weeks to come...there are friends and family that have scheduled in birthday celebrations...
friends have been calling...from near & far...i've gotten calls from friends that are on vacation...in london & hawaii...but took time out to remember me...wishing me a wonderful year ahead...singing birthday songs...making plans...

thank you Lord...for the wonderful friends and family you have given me...may i be the friend back to them that they have been to me...may i somehow be able to show them as much love as they have shown me...

we are proud of you tony!

i can hardly stand it...my good friend adena - her husband...who i always say i would love to clone...has been working diligently to get fda approval on a patch that will help with pain from shingles...this has been years and years in the making...

they have received fda approval!!

my aunt suffers from this pain...so i have seen it first hand...and it ain't pretty...

it is so exciting to be so close to the action and excitement...we are all so proud of tony...as adena says..."my husband is a rockstar!"

here is an article written on bioworld today...this is the "variety" in pharma business...and a front page spread on top of it...

congratulations tony!!

Don’t Hold the Chili Peppers:
NeurogesX Patch Gets FDA OK

By Donna Young
Washington Editor

NeurogesX Inc. won FDA approval of the firm’s synthetic
capsaicin patch Qutenza as a therapy to manage a
form of nerve pain that often persists long after a bout of
shingles, known as postherpetic neuralgia (PHN).
Capsaicin is what makes chili peppers hot and has
long been used as an ingredient in topical therapies for pain.
But NeurogesX, which developed Qutenza internally
without a partner, is the first company to gain U.S. marketing
approval of a prescription product that delivers a high
dose of synthetic capsaicin.
While the concentration of capsaicin in the Qutenza
patch is 8 percent, other marketed capsaicin-containing
products, which generally are available as creams or gels,
come in much lower concentrations of about 0.025 percent
to 0.075 percent, noted NeurogesX CEO Anthony DiTonno.
The lower-concentration capsaicin creams and gels
also must be applied three or four times per day for often
up to several weeks, “and patients simply won’t put up or
can’t tolerate having that burning and stinging sensation
on their skin” for that period, DiTonno told BioWorld Today.
The Qutenza pain patch, which is intended to be
applied by a health care professional in an outpatient setting,
such as a physician’s office or pain clinic, delivers the
prescription strength capsaicin in a single hour-long application
procedure and provides up to 12 weeks of reduced pain, he said.
The entire procedure lasts a little over two hours,
which includes an application of a topical anesthetic about
an hour before the Qutenza patch is applied, DiTonno explained.
The health care professional can cut the patches, which
come as 280-centimeter squares, to conform to the size
and shape of the area in pain, he noted.
The synthetic capsaicin in Qutenza works by targeting
C fibers, which are found in the peripheral nerves of the
somatosensory system, which sends the signals to the
brain about sensations.
Once delivered, the capsaicin binds to the TRPV1 receptor,
and in doing so, “basically desensitizes that nerve ending
for what we’ve seen in our clinical trials for up to about
three months,” DiTonno said.
And after a single 60-minute application of the patch,
he said, “the patients go home and don’t have to take any
pills,” such as opioid pain relievers, antidepressants or anticonvulsants
– the drugs typically prescribed to manage PHN.
While opioids, antidepressants and anticonvulsants
work well to relieve PHN, they come with several associated
adverse effects, such as drowsiness, somnolence, daytime
sleepiness, and also have been related to drug-drug
interactions, DiTonno said.
He noted that the average age of patients in the
Qutenza clinical trials was about 70 years.
“So you can imagine that those patients are taking perhaps
pills for blood pressure, arthritis and diabetes,” DiTonno said.
But with Qutenza, he noted, “not having to take another
pill is probably a big advantage.
“Our product works directly in the skin, and it doesn’t
get into the systemic circulation, so you don’t worry about
systemic side effects after the procedure,” DiTonno maintained.
Once patients are titrated up to a therapeutic level with
Qutenza, they experience about a 30 percent to 50 percent
reduction in pain, “and that is considered clinically relerelevant,” he contended.
DiTonno noted that Qutenza was developed in house
by NeurogesX, a 50-employee firm, based on the science
from the company’s founder, Wendye Robbins, a pain specialist
and professor of anesthesiology at Stanford University.
“Getting a product approved anywhere in the world is a
major milestone for Pfizer, Roche and Lilly,” he said. “But for
a team of professionals of around 50 people in San Mateo
to accomplish the same feat as these pharmaceutical
giants is something that we are very proud of. And hopefully,
people will make the translation that we are going to
be equally as efficient from a marketing and sales standpoint.”
While the length of time it took NeurogesX to get to
final U.S. approval was “on par for our industry,” the company
accomplished the milestone “with significant less
capital than the industry norm,” DiTonno said.
“This is, in essence, the efficiency of what a specialty
pharma company can accomplish and why we are so proud
of this event,” he declared.
DiTonno noted that Qutenza also was granted
approval in Europe in May.
Shortly after that European win, NeurogesX granted the
European, Middle Eastern and African rights to Qutenza to
Tokyo-based Astellas Pharma Inc. in exchange for $42 million
up front, under a deal that potentially could bring the
California firm more than $145 million. (See BioWorld
Today, June 23, 2009.)
While the approvals and the Astellas deal have made
2009 a “watershed year” for NeurogesX, “the hard work has
just begun” for the company on the sales and marketing
end before Qutenza’s U.S. launch in the first half of 2010, DiTonno said.
While NeurogesX over the past few months has been
laying the groundwork for that launch, “We have a lot to do
between now and then,” he said. But, DiTonno added, “we
have the people and the resources to do it, and are energized by the challenge.”
He said NeurogesX already is “well down the road” of
establishing its distribution channel.
“We have already completed the manufacture of and
expect to have product ready to go into that channel in
time to support our launch in the first half of 2010,”
DiTonno said. “And now that we have the approval in hand,
our vice president of sales is gearing up the process of first
hiring regional sales directors, and shortly thereafter, our sales reps.”
The company also is in the process of fielding its medical
science liaison team, which will be charged with educating
“key opinion leaders” on the use of Qutenza.
With the added sales and marketing personnel, said
Stephen Ghiglieri, NeurogesX’s chief financial officer, “it is
not out of the realm to think that we will close to double in
size within the next year.”

goals and plans...

so last nite at my networking group...we started the tedious task of preparing to do our goals and plans for 2010...

i really don't like this exercise =(

but...i see the massive benefits of it...

three of the women in this group...i have worked with for the full year...one of them i knew from years prior...but we have since added new members...so we wanted to go over the basics...how to start...what to do...some helpful hints...so to speak...

aimee...who was leading the discussion...used her business/life plan from last year...it was incredible to see what we as a group had talked about in a place of safety...a place where you could be vulnerable...knowing you wouldn't be judged...

i remember how timid aimee was about certain things in her business...and how it took a lot for her to voice it to us...as well as put it down on paper...
last nite...in viewing it...we could see so clearly...how she had walked through and surpassed all those certain areas...

this really works...

so why do i do it...if i really don't like it??

as in life...i think there are many things that we don't "like" to do...but they are good for us...

in looking back at my business/life plan from last year...i saw many things that i had accomplished as well...and then there were those things that i hadn't accomplished...

some of it was that my business took a different turn...and some of it...well...i was still procrastinating...

a business/life goal plan...helps put things in perspective...it allows you to see the big picture...while breaking down the steps to get to that big picture...without being so overwhelmed...

it sure helps that i have this group of women...who encourage me...push me...question me...and hold me accountable...

so...my promise to myself...is to really give this my all for 2010...leave no stone unturned...write everything down that i want/need to accomplish...the steps to make it happen...and push through my comfort zone...

best of all...i have the Lord who reminds me that "nothing is impossible" and i know that He is my biggest support

step away from the computer...

so my laptop needed some medical attention...and was computer hospitalized for three days! talk about computer withdrawal...sheesh...

i seriously never realized how much i depend on this little contraption we call a computer...just when i was about to do something...i realized...i can't...because it requires access to the computer...

this occurred when i was trying to work...and i won't even mention being away from facebook & twitter...all my cyber friends...couldn't chat with them...kinda strange...

so for three days...i actually got some serious work done that didn't require this contraption...yes...i really cleaned out some stuff from the home...AND...i actually spent almost all my time "out"...

hmmm...what a concept...

the thing is...i am a pretty social person...and love to be out and about...the computer...however...does keep me in sometimes...and although i have made great connections "on-line" it can't and never will replace true face to face connection...

that is where i most feel like i am thriving...

as i am...

as i was cleaning my living room yesterday (i know...don't be jealous of my elegant life) =) my ipod was blasting...on random...which i love...because then i have NO idea what song will play...and this one came on...and i had just this overwhelming feeling...God does that...truly...all the time...it still amazes me how He chooses to speak to us...what He chooses to say...ALWAYS at the right time...

His love for me...i will never ever ever understand...but i'm SO thankful for it...He loves me...just as i am...when i think about it...seems so crazy...but it's true! Thank you Lord!!

be encouraged today...there is someone who loves you...cherishes you...adores you...

as i am by kim boyce

When people throw sticks and stones
And they say I don't belong
You love me as I am

When courage is hard to find
And I don't have the strength to try
You love me as I am

As I am in all my weakness
As I am with all my faults
You came running like my champion
Just to love me as I am

When envy invades my heart
And tears it all apart
You love me as I am

When forgiving is hard to do
When I lose sight of You
You love me as I am

As I am in all my weakness
As I am with all my faults
You came running like my champion
Just to love me as I am

Somehow you see the best in me
When I just see the worst
Your faith in me is amazing
It's more than I deserve

As I am in all my weakness
As I am with all my faults
You came running like my champion
Just to love me as I am

You came running like my champion
Just to love me
Just to love me as I am

breakfast with mom & dad...

so last nite i called my papacito to say hello & see what he was doing...actually i also called cause i wanted some apples...he gets THE best fuji apples somewhere in the city...

so as we are talking...he says he wants to cook me breakfast...it still cracks me up that he loves to do this...it is nothing fancy...but he knows that i have always loved his egg scramble...and he loves making it for me...

so he is insisting on me coming over for breakfast...how i could resist...no?

the thing is...i am so swamped this week...but i truly believe that sometimes we can get so caught up in the "doing stuff" that we miss out on beautiful moments...

so...no matter how busy i think i am...i can't say no to time spent with people i love...

so i headed out this morning...and dad was all excited...he had his chef hat on (not literally) he just gets very serious when cooking...

mom brewed the coffee...and we just sat around the table and chatted...really about nothing...the vegetable garden...the fruit trees...soup...cologne...my grandma...

talk about a mish mash of conversation...the thing is...i am so fueled for my day now...

i don't take for granted the days i have with them...and i will take as many as i can get...

breakfast with mom & dad...there is truly...nothing sweeter...

fun day at the gift center...

spent a wonderful day at the gift center today with a good friend...really enjoy going...

today we had a mission...my girlfriend needed to buy some birthday gifts for two people...we accomplished that pretty quickly as she already had an idea of what she wanted...and we found it in the first level...phew...

breaking for lunch...we rested our tootsie's for a bit...chatted away...and then continued...

of course...i love the holiday decorations...but i just can't fully enjoy them until after thanksgiving...at one point i got excited about a christmas song that came on...but i needed to contain myself...tis the season for thanksgiving...and MY birthday celebrations...then comes christmas...sheesh people...keep it in order...actually i just realized i am not keeping it in order either...it is my birthday...then thanksgiving...then christmas...although i guess i could cut myself a break as thanksgiving is truly ALL the time...

bet you thought i was going to say my birthday was...huh? although birthday celebrations have been under way already...in my heart of hearts...i truly believe thanksgiving is an important holiday...more than my birthday...

dang...what has gotten into me??

anyways...

fun fun day today...i didn't get ONE thing...but it was fun to window shop and look at all the lovely baubles and such...

and dream...

being approachable...

on three separate conversations this week...the word "approachable" came up...and on these three separate conversations...i was told that what was loved about me...was that i was approachable...i have to say...it really warmed my heart to hear these words...because i always want to remain...approachable...

when i hear the word approachable...it makes me consider Christ...who had (and still has) the most amazing open-life policy...i can't think of anyone He cold-shouldered or refused entrance into His presence...

there were times He sidestepped trouble...and sometimes He sought out solitude...but generally speaking...the crowds freely sought Him out...some people left His presence rapidly when they didn't want to hear the truth...but all were given access to Him...

i have to admit...i often do not feel equipped to offer liberating solutions to people...but i have come to know...that i do not need to have all the answers to remain approachable...actually...people who have all the answers get on most folk's nerves...

this to me...is what makes one approachable...

a willingness to accept people where they are...until they can take the next step...that kind of willingness is usually born out of personal growth and the recognition that we are all cracked pots...God is not partial but extends Himself to all...

a willingness to listen...one who hears with her heart and answers when asked...i have to admit...this is a toughie for me because my answers often fly out before i've fully listened...that tendency makes me store up assumptions, opinions, and defensiveness...and being full of those things can be lethal to one's maturity as well as one's relationships...

a willingness to believe the best...not necessarily the best of people...but the best of God...who is at work in people's lives regardless how snarled the threads of their existence may seem...scripture tells us that the heart of humankind is desperately evil...but the plan of God is to give us a future and a hope...thank God for that hope! as approachable people...we can help others see God's best...

what it really boils down to...is people just want to be heard...and many times...they are not looking for words back...but an understanding and listening ear...to accept others, hear their heart, and believe God's best for them...this makes you approachable...

when i think of Jesus...and how He allowed the masses and the messes...they always left His presence new, whole, healed, heard, instructed, corrected, and gladdened...

how are folks after they have encountered you? i want people to leave feeling better then when they showed up...and as with many things...it is always a work in progress...

busy busy busy...

phew...that is all i can muster up right now...i have so many things going on...and so many things to get done...and even though i am running around non stop...nothing is getting done...and more things are getting added to the infamous LONG to-do list...

friday...i actually forgot to blog...just plain forgot...the day flew by...and i went to sleep...woke up in the middle of the nite...and started thinking...about all the "stuff" that i needed to do...and then it hit me...that i had forgotten my blog...i almost got up and wrote...but thought to myself...ok...that is a bit much...

so...as i am rambling...i realize i really don't have anything to say...except to say...that i am super uber busy...

the plant left on my doorstep last week is still a mystery...although every day i look at it - in its beautiful planter...i smile...so...i'm just chocking it up to another wonderful blessing from my sweet Lord...

so...back to my LONG to-do list...just decided to take a wee break...and write down some thoughts...actually...i guess i am just writing about how busy i am...somehow it helps to write it out =)

a surprise thank you...

so this morning...i'm getting ready to head on over to the trunk show...hurry hurry...that is on my mind...

as i open the front door...what do i see??

a surprise on my doorstep!! can you stand it??

a beautiful plant in the most adorable planter...with a little note saying "thank-you"

gosh...it is driving me a little crazy not knowing who left me this pretty...and on top of it...i have no idea what i did to warrant such a surprise...

so...to whoever left me this lovely surprise...i thank you!

did i mention how much i love surprises??

live with intention...

this sits in my bathroom...so i can see it everyday...

framed...

live with intention.
walk to the edge.
listen hard.
practice wellness.
play with abandon.
laugh.
choose with no regret.
continue to learn.
appreciate your friends.
do what you love.
live as if this is all there is.
~ mary anne radmacher

a simple indulgence...

shall i share my secret recipe for a perfect dessert? a little luxury for those nites when you might crave chocolate but be a bit too tired to wade through the recipe for homemade chocolate pudding...(another indulgence of mine)

don't despair...help is nearby...here is a simple indulgence - a glass of red wine and a handful of m&m's...see how very simple it is?? a life of luxury need not be complicated...and it need not be expensive...it need only be delicious...

on the spur of the moment...i've invited friends over to join me on the couch at nite after a long day...for m&m's and a glass of wine...it also seems to be a simple dessert that men enjoy (they don't seem so interested in the recipes we work so hard to master...although the chocolate pudding is a big hit) once, one friend came already dressed in her pajama's...knowing it was going to be a late nite of chit-chat...

must i point out that you shouldn't indulge in the m&m's too often...lest your clothes grow a tiny bit tight?

all luxury is best taken in small doses...

the mayonnaise jar...

this is an oldie but goodie...it comes around every so often via email...and everytime i read it...it stands as a reminder...to re-check...so to speak...my priorities...and where my time is being spent...

"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 started 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.'

so...who do you need to call today...for a cup of coffee...perhaps?