A Jar and Two Beers...

Happy Saturday, my friends! Below is an oldie but goodie
you may or may not have read. If you have read this before,
it is worth re-reading. I did a search and could not find its
author. If anyone knows, please let me know. And please
remember this tale when things in your life seem almost too
much to handle and when it feels like 24 hours in a day are
not enough. Sending out joy... Val =)

Mayonnaise Jar and Two Beers

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 a unanimous "yes".

The professor then produced two beers 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."

"Spend time with your children."

"Spend time with your parents."

"Visit with grandparents."

"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 beer represented.

The professor smiled and said, "I'm glad you asked."

"The beer just shows you that no matter how full your life

may seem, there's always room for a couple of beers with

a friend!"

- Author Unknown

Imagery Techniques

"Imagery Techniques"

Peaceful Place

One of the simplest and most powerful ways to learn to relax is through the "peaceful place" imagery:

Imagine yourself in some setting in nature - perhaps high in the mountains, or on a beach, near a lake, or in a desert. Find yourself walking along a path in this setting. Notice what the sky looks like, how the air smells, what the ground feels like beneath your feet as you walk. With each step along your path allow yourself to grow more and more relaxed.

As you look ahead, you see a little cottage. It's there just for you. Walk up to this cottage. What does it look like and what is it made of? Go inside and walk around your cabin. Decorate your perfect cabin to your own taste... with your own art work. Everything about this place is peaceful. If you like lots of sunlight, imagine that your cabin has lots of windows with an incredible view.

Sit down in a comfortable chair in your cottage and soak in the relaxation. This is your place... a million miles from nowhere - if that's where you want it to be.

Of course, if the word "cottage" or "cabin" does not suit you, call your dwelling whatever you like.

(Use your five senses when you are at your special place.)

The Wave

Do you get so rushed and so stressed out at work that you don't feel you have the luxury of relaxing? You don't have the luxury of a break to let go of stress? The "Wave Imagery" innovated by Phyllis Crystal was designed for you. It is not a long, drawn out process. Once you learn how to "ride" the wave, you can teach yourself to relax in just a minute.

Imagine you are at the beach, lying on the warm sand. The waves are rolling in and each one comes closer and closer to you... until the waves are starting to wash over your body before they roll back out. As each wave falls away from you and returns to the sea, tension, anxiety and stress are removed in the process. With each wave you feel a little more relaxed. Just feel the wave gently pulling tension out of you.

Of course, you adjust the power of the wave. And if you don't like inhaling seawater, just allow the waves to come up to your neckand no higher

The Feather

Imagine you are a feather floating in the air high above the earth. You become more and more relaxed as you slowly float downward through the air. You finally glide to the ground... gently and softly touching down. Lying on the ground, you are totally and completely relaxed.

The Clock

Imagine a clock with only one hand. When the hand is at 12:00 high, it represents the most intense stress you have ever experienced. It's electrocution time with every hair of your body standing on end. When the hand is at 6:00, it represents no stress whatsoever. You're just floating in a tank of jello, or you're a wet, limp noodle lying on the floor.

Now get in touch with the level of stress you are under right this second, and set the pointer appropriately. Now inhale a deep breath, and as you exhale, imagine the pointer moving down toward 6:00. As you continue to exhale, drop your shoulders, and let go.

If necessary, reset the pointer, repeat the breath, and let the pointer sink down even further toward 6:00.

-author unknown