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.
