Then, the professor took a box of pebbles and emptied it over the jar. The pebbles, of course, filled the space between the stones. He asked the students again whether or not the glass was full. Some of them laughed, but all of them said yes.
Now, the professor took a box of sand and poured it over the jar. Naturally, the sand filled the remaining space between the pebbles.
"Well", the professor said, "I want you to perceive that
this glass is like your life!
The stones are the important things in your life: your
family, your partner, your children, your health - things which, if your
life would be deprived of everything else, would still make your life
complete and fulfilled.
The pebbles are less important things, such as your
work, your house, or your car.
The sand are all the little details in life. If you
would fill the sand first into the glass, then there would be no room left
for the important things. It is the same in life: if you spend your energy
first on the minor things, then you won't have any left for the important
things.
So, first pay attention to the important stones in your
life, they are the only things that really count. There will always be time
left for work, household, and parties."
After class, one of the students took the glass, filled with stones, pebbles, and sand, and poured a mug of beer into it. Now it was really full.
And the morale is: no matter how filled your life is, there is always room for a beer.
Last modified:
Wed Aug 16 18:09:55 MDT 2006