vivian
JF-Expert Member
- Nov 2, 2009
- 1,825
- 1,307
A professor stood before his philosophy 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 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 rolled 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 cups of
coffee 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 God, family, your
children, your health, your friends, and your
favourite passionsthings 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, 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. Play with your children.
Take time to get medical checkups. Take
your partner out to dinner. Play another 18.
There will always be time to clean the house
and fix the disposal.
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 coffee represented.
The professor smiled. Im glad you asked. It
just goes to show you that no matter how
full your life may seem, theres always room
for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.
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 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 rolled 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 cups of
coffee 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 God, family, your
children, your health, your friends, and your
favourite passionsthings 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, 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. Play with your children.
Take time to get medical checkups. Take
your partner out to dinner. Play another 18.
There will always be time to clean the house
and fix the disposal.
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 coffee represented.
The professor smiled. Im glad you asked. It
just goes to show you that no matter how
full your life may seem, theres always room
for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.