Sunday, April 20, 2008

Life Lesson

I found this great life lesson on the blog of one of the horse blogs I read, Freelance Instructor's Diary I think it's an appropriate post for this blog.

"When things in your lives seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the jar and the 2 cups of coffee......

A professor stood before his class and had some items in front of him.When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next 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 an unanimous "yes".

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the 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 recognise that this jar represents your life.

The golf balls are important things- your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favourite 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," he continued, "there is 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 and pets. Go out to dinner. There will always be time to clean the house .

Take care of the golf balls 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 coffee 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 cups of coffee with a friend."

9 comments:

Vi said...

An oldie but a goodie. Hence why housework is the last on my priorities.

Battle Weary said...

This demonstration was used in a college study skills class I took a couple years ago...during the unit on time management. It's really a great example.

Frazzled Farm Wife said...

Love that one!

Kahless said...

Cool analogy.

I am sorry but I have tagged you - not too onerous I hope.

Rising Rainbow said...

Vi, I had no idea it had been around for a while, it's the first time I have seen it. I really liked the visual impression it gives.

battle weary, it must have been cool to actually see this demonstration. What a great visual.

frazzled farm wife, me too!

kahless, tagging is ok, it will make me post and anything that gets me moving is probably a good thing. lol

Enola said...

I've heard that before but I can always benefit from reading it again. I love coffee!

jumpinginpuddles said...

hmm interesting but we dont like coffee ;)

Patches said...

This is really a great reminder for us. Thanks.

Cie Cheesemeister said...

I like that.
I'd have to make it decaf though. I had to cut out all caffeine. It was contributing to the panic attacks.
Curses...