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 mow the lawn.
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.
Have an awesome weekend!
