Pubdate: Fri, 3 Apr 2009 Source: Coquitlam Now, The (CN BC) Copyright: 2009 Lower Mainland Publishing Group, Inc. Contact: http://www.thenownews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1340 Author: Bill Kim Note: Const. Bill Kim is the media relations officer for the Port Moody Police Department. The views expressed in this column are his own, and not necessarily those of the department. His column runs the first Friday of the month, only in The NOW. GANGS, DRUGS -- WE'LL GET THROUGH THESE TROUBLED TIMES TOGETHER The news for the past few months has been grim, with our communities being held hostage by urban thugs and the impression that our justice system is incapable of handling this crime wave. I want to share with you an e-mail sent to me by a colleague, which I thought would be appropriate for these distressing times: 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 and 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 and, of course, the sand filled up everything else. The professor 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 spaces between the sand. The students laughed. The professor said, "Now, 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 favourite passions. 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, there would be no room for the pebbles or the golf balls." The same goes for life. If you spend all your life 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 and visit your grandparents. Take time to get medical checkups, take your loved one out to dinner and play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the garbage disposal. Take care of the golf balls first, the things that really matter. Set your priorities; the rest is 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." We will get through these troubled times together. On a personal note, welcome back Chris. Until next time. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake