The Important Things In Life

A philosophy professor stood before his class with
some items on the table 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, 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 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 the
remaining open areas of the jar.
He then asked once more if the jar was full. The
students responded with a unanimous “Yes.”

“Now,” said the professor, “I want you to recognize
that this jar represents your life. The rocks are the
important things – your family, your partner, 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,” 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 your
partner out dancing. There will always be time to go
to work, clean the house, give a dinner party, or fix
the disposal.”

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

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