(picture by Ian)

The Important Things in Life

A Philosophy professor stood before his 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 proceed to fill it with rocks, about 2'' in diameter. 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, of course, rolled into the open
areas between the rocks. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor then picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course the sand filled up everything else. He then asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous-Yes.

The professor then produced 2 cans of beer from under the table and proceeded to pour the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

Now said the professor, as the laugh subsided,
"I want you to recognise that this jar represents your life.

The rocks are the important things-your family, your partner, your health, your children
-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, your car.

The sand is everything else-the small stuff".

"If you put the sand into the jar first", he continued" there would be no
room for the pebbles or the rocks.

The same goes for your life.

If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never
have room for all the things that are important to you.

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.

Play with your children.
Communicate with your partner.
Take time to get a medical checkup.
There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, give a dinner
party and fix the disposal
Take care of the rocks 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.

"I am glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may
seem, there is always room for a couple of beers"