TAKE TIME FOR THAT REALLY MATTERS

[Guest guest]

TAKE TIME FOR THAT REALLY MATTERS

 

”The family tree bloomed. Branches spread out, in

due course flourished and bore fruit with sons and

daughters.” – Shri Sai Samarth Satcharita, Ch. 14, Ovi

197.

 

A philosophy professor stood before his class and

had some items 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 professor then produced two cans of beer from

under the table and proceeded to pour their entire

contents into the jar - effectively filling the empty

space between the sand. The students laughed.

 

" Now, " said the professor, as the laughter subsided,

" 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 time to

get medical checkups. Take your partner out dancing.

There will always be time to go to work, clean the

house, give a dinner party and fix the tap. Take care

of the rocks first, the things that really matter. Set

your priorities. The rest is just sand. "

 

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what

the beer represented. The professor smiled. " I'm glad

you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how

full your life may seem, there's always room for a

couple of beers. "