The philosophy professor stood before his class with some items on the table in
front of him. When the class began, he picked up a very large and empty
mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with 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.
He then asked the students again if the jar was full.
They agreed 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.
The students responded with a unanimous yes.
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 spouse, 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 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 spouse 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 asked, "What does the beer represent?"
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 beer."
