Rocks, Pebbles and Sand

A philosophy professor stood before his class and had some items in front of him. When class began, wordlessly he picked up a large empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks, rocks about 2 inches 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 small pebbles and poured them into the already "full" jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks. The students laughed.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the already twice-over "full" jar. Of course, the sand filled up the rest of the space.

"Now," said the professor, "I want you to recognize that this is your life. The rocks are the important things ---your education, your loves, your personal ideals and goals, your God, your health, your family--anything that is so important to you that you would be nearly destroyed if it were lost.

The pebbles are the other things that matter, like your job, your house, your possessions.

Then, the sand is everything else..the small stuff and daily clutter of life."

"If you put the sand into the jar first, there is no room for the pebbles or the rocks. Likewise with the pebbles. 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 really important to you."

"Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness...Put your ideals in place and form a plan for achieving them. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Go out dancing. Make time to laugh, and love. Sit down often for long family meals. Enjoy the holidays. Try, always, to keep your life in focus. You will find that there still is time to go to work, wax the car, watch a show on television, pay the bills, or fix the air conditioner."

Take care of the rocks first..the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand"