posted on April 24, 2003 03:45:52 AM new
Don't you wish we could all remember this? Everyday!
Put the Big Rocks In First .
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 proceeded to fill it with rocks, rocks about 2" in diameter.
He then asked the students if the jar was
full? They agreed that it was.
So, 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. Again, he asked the students if the jar was full.
They agreed that, now, it was.
The professor 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 and the students, unanimously, agreed that this time it was full.
The professor then produced two cans of beer from under the table and proceeded to pour their entire contents into the jar - effectively filling the empty space between the grains of 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 - your family, your partner, your health, and your children. Things that, if everything else were 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 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 the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. 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 sand."
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the beer represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show that, no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room
for a couple of beers."
posted on April 24, 2003 12:13:10 PM new
Hey, I think Helen should be removed from "The List". She started a beer thread before you did. Contents of hers were Beer + Soldiers, while yours was Beer + A Teacher. Hers is more patriotic than yours colin...
Cheryl