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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 his 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 cups of coffee from under the table and poured the
entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space
between the sand.The students laughed. |
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"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 God, family, your
children, your health, your friends, and your favourite 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 a medical checkup. Take
your partner out to dinner."
"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 student raised her hand and inquired what the coffee
represented.The professor smiled. "I am glad you asked.
"It is just to show you that no matter how full your life may
seem, there’s always room for a cup of coffee with a friend." |
