Last weekend I attended my first Christening for my friend's niece, Samantha aka Sammy. Many people were surprised to know that it was my first time as they revealed that they must have already been to over 10-20 services already. I guess I'm just not very close to many people who attend/hold religious events and that's completely alright with me.
I had no idea that a Christening service could be a community ceremony where many other families and friends are also there to witness their babies on their ways to becoming a Christian. Each baby along with the parents and sponsors aka god parents, all waited in line for their turn with the priest. It was really interesting and educational. The priest even make suggestions of when and where photographers could take pictures.
The babies also had to change outfits and there were even different ways that they can be washed with water, too. This one baby had his legs dunked into the water multiple times, while other babies prefer water to run down their foreheads. Afterward was the reception filled with so many good Filipino food, live band and desserts.
I also came across an old story while reading something from a client called, "Your Life in a Jar" which is something that I have been thinking a lot about lately. Enjoy!
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 proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that 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 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 space between the grains of sand.
"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 - 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, 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. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner 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 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."
