Tim Reynolds
Active Member
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 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---God, 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. Spend time with your parents. Visit with
grandparents.
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."
