The Important Things in Life
Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.
The Important Things in Life
Now I have to admit I found this someplace else and unfortunately I don’t recall where, but I really believe that of and by itself, this short simple story is one of The Important Things in Life that we can all benefit from. I therefore recommend you share this with others, especially your loved ones, children and grandchildren.
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 everything else. He then asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous “Yes.”
The Important Things in Life
“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, and 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 and fix the disposal.
Take care of the rocks first – the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.” Author Unknown
The Important Things in Life
The shape, size and form of those rocks are entirely up to you. Never, ever, give up on yourself, no matter how old you are. You must realize that that jar gets refilled every single morning as you awaken and confront life.
Your ability to expand and enjoy life more than you ever have is simply limited by the rocks you choose, therefore elect to explore and challenge your focus for today on those whom are truly important in your life. Once you do, you may recognize the need for change in the size, and shape of the pebbles you rely on.
Finally the sand the professor shared with us only fills what space is left available by our first choices.
The single most important point of this is that you are in complete charge of it, and nobody else is.