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 roll
ed 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.
