Perspectives On Life
Perspectives On Life
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had a few items in front of him. When the class began he picked up a large mayonnaise jar and filled it up with golf balls.
He then ask the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. The professor then picked up a box of small pebbles and poured them into the jar and shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls.
He asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. Then the professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. The sand filled up the jar. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded “yes.”
The professor then poured two cups of freshly brewed coffee into the jar filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
“Now,” said the professor, I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things-your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions-and 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 and your car. The sand is everything else-the small stuff.
If you put the sand into the jar first, there’s no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.
The same goes for life. If you spend all of your time and energy on the small stuff you’ll 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 spouse out to dinner. Play anoyher 18 holes. There will always be time to clean and fix things around the house.
Take care of the golf balls first-the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.
One student raised her hand and asked “what does the coffee represent?” The professor smiled and said “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 cups of coffee with a friend.
Daryl Whicker
Filed Under: Business Building
Ryan (10)
Fredric (5)
Theresa Moss (5)
Garrett Miller (4)
Glenn Arcaro (4)
Kathy Jodrey (4)
Jaime Morales (3)
Jason Kerchner (3)
Laura James (3)
Candace Cremeans (2)
Daryl,
I’ve always loved this analogy. Thanks for sharing it.
Ken Pickard
The Network Dad
Ken Pickard´s last blog ..Tribe Syndication The Accountability Factor
This is a great story. I heard it a while back, but its well worth the reminder!
Jason Kerchner´s last blog ..Stop Justifying Your Fears, and Start Overcoming Them
POWERFUL post Daryl!
This is so TRUE… sometimes we
can get ourselves caught in the ’sand’,
and have no room for the other important
stuff in life.
Thanks for the share… Rock out LOUD:)
Powerful post Daryl.. Let’s not get caught in the sand of life..
Thanks gentlemen for all of you comment’s, much appreciated.
Daryl Whicker
Great Post Daryl…
When you start worrying about all the little things,
the bigger more important issues get ignored. Thanks
for reminding us.
Daryl,
Thanks, this is a beautiful story and reminder for us all to take (or make) time for the things in life that really matter. With the holidays upon us this is especially true.
I just saw a news story about a woman who was answering letters that children had sent to Santa. One of her profound statements was that a surprising number of children had asked not for “stuff”, but for more time with their parents. Wow, that is powerful!
Great job Daryl…thanks!
Kathy J
Hi Daryl,
Personally, this is the first I’ve heard this story and it really is a timeless and wonderful analogy. I think most of us actually do get caught up in the minutiae of life.
This is why it’s so important to take the time to just “be”. Reflection and introspection allow us to create space so that we can become conscious of what really matters.
If we never slow down and take the time to simply “smell the roses”, we’ll end up in a bed of thorns. Thanks for the share!
~Fredric
Fredric´s last blog ..The 80 20 Principle And Why It Will Transform Your Life