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 I 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 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. Play with your children. Take time to
get medical checkups. Take your spouse 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."
Author Unknown
