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.