Bebi
|
The philosophy classA professor stands in front of a philosophy class and has some items in
front of him. When the class begins, wordlessly he picks up a large
empty glass jar and proceeds to fill it with golf balls. When he's done
he asks the class if the jar is full. They agree that it is.
So the professor picks up a box of small pebbles and slowly pours them
into the jar. He gently shakes the jar and the pebbles roll into the
open areas between the golf balls. Again he asks the class if the jar is
full. Again they agree that it is.
Next the professor picks up a box of sand and pours it into the jar. The
sand fills the gaps that are left in the jar. Once again the professor
asks if the jar is full. The students respond with a yes.
The professor then produces two cans of beer from under the table and
proceeds to pour the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling
the spaces between the sand, the students laugh....
"Now" says the professor as the laughter subsides, "I want you to
recognise that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the
important things - your family, your children, your health, your friends
and favourite possessions - those 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 car,
your house. The sand is everything else - the small stuff. If you put
the sand in the jar first you've got 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 your partner to dinner, do some exercise, keep
an eye on your health, there will always be time to clean the house and
fix the tap. Take care of the golf balls first - the things that really
matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."
One of the students raises her hand and asks what the beer represents?
The professor smiles. "I'm glad you asked; it just goes to show that no
matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of
beers"
|
