A philosophy professor stood before his class and had some items in front of him. When class began, he wordlessly picked up a large, empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it right to the top with rocks about two inches in diameter. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
Next, 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. The students laughed. He asked his students again if the jar was full. They agreed that yes, 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 asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded unanimously with a yes.
Finally, the professor produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the 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 rocks are the important things - God, your family, your partner, your health, your children, your friends - things so important to you that if it were lost, you would be nearly destroyed.
"The pebbles are the other things in life that matter, but on a smaller scale. The pebbles represent things like your job, your house, your car.
"The sand is everything else. The small stuff."If you put the sand or the pebbles into the jar first, there is no room for the rocks. The same goes for your life. If you spend all your energy and time on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are truly most important.
"Pay attention to the things that are critical in your life. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out dancing. There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, give a dinner party, and fix the disposal.
Next, 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. The students laughed. He asked his students again if the jar was full. They agreed that yes, 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 asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded unanimously with a yes.
Finally, the professor produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the 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 rocks are the important things - God, your family, your partner, your health, your children, your friends - things so important to you that if it were lost, you would be nearly destroyed.
"The pebbles are the other things in life that matter, but on a smaller scale. The pebbles represent things like your job, your house, your car.
"The sand is everything else. The small stuff."If you put the sand or the pebbles into the jar first, there is no room for the rocks. The same goes for your life. If you spend all your energy and time on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are truly most important.
"Pay attention to the things that are critical in your life. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out dancing. 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 pebbles and 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 no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."
24 comments:
Love this. But I'd trade the coffee for a lunch date with you sometime, maybe this summer. :)
That is really neat. Reminds me to focus on whats important instead of worrying about the small stuff.
I have seen this before but it is poignant every time I read it. Thanks for posting it:-)
i saw this a while back and had forgotten about it. i'm glad you posted it because there a quite a few ppl in my life that i'd like to print it out for to read. i actually wouldn't mind having a copy taped up somewhere for me to read from time to time. as a reminder.
thanks tara!
How inspiring! I just love it!
I love that story.
i soooo got my blanket in the mail...and it has not left my side! super fabulous!!!! thank you soooo much! i have a new love in my life...and it's at the right time. it's -4 degrees!
Oh, I've heard this one before, it's always been one of my favorites. Even when you think the jar is full there's still room to fill in the cracks :)
wow - that was really a lovely chat with a teacher - I can't really remember anything that was said to me in college that made me remember all these years later.
That was awesome. Thanks for sharing it!
It's always good to find time for having coffee with a friend. Thanks for sharing this. :)
I love that!!!!
I love that story, thank you for reminding me. :)
Good story!
Good analogy of life.
What a great lesson! I love it. I am going to have to work on that, especially this month when it is cold, dark, and so easy to be groucy. :o)
I love this story, and it's always good to be reminded of the REALLY important stuff. I tend to sweat the small stuff sometimes... Thanks for reminding me that it's just sand!:)
I've heard this before and it's great to read it again. I just love the story and the message it represents! Definitely words I try to live to by.
Wow, this is an amazing site!! I have a son that is 3 and has Down Syndrome. He was born with a AV Canal heart defect, pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary stenosis, diaprgamatic hernia, tethered spinal cord, and severe reflux. He also has chronic lung disease due to an accident while in the hospital that led to an aspiration pnemounia that nearly took his life.
BUT he is here, and we are so tickled that he is.
I don't have his regular blog open to the public right now due to some things that are going on, but I plan on opening it as soon as some things are finalized.
We do have a family blog www.theflockofbirds.blogspot.com
And If you wait a day or two his videos of his struggles will be there as well.
I just haven't had time to get them all up.
Anyways, just thought I would stop by and say hi and thank you for all that you are doing with this webiste. Off to add your button now!!
Love the analogy. Up until the end, I was totally thinking WHAT ABOUT THE COFFEE????!!!! :) You can tell what I value. :)
I've always loved this story and it's meaning is something we all should remember everyday.
Thank you for the loving reminder to keep everything I love first in my life. :)
I just love that post. Thanks for visiting yesterday. I am playing catch up.
I've never seen this before... love it. Thanks.
Hey now, this looks like a post I did a little bit ago! That's ok, I can share! People need to read it and my traffic isn't that much (which is ok). ♥
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