A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he silently picked up a very large and empty mayo jar and filled it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
He 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 that 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 asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded unanimously "YES". The professor then produced 2 cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filing the empty space between the sand. The students laughed. "Now," said the professor as the laughter subsided, "I want you recognise that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things-- God, 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 focusing 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. 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."
When my dad showed this to me, my initial thought was "what? more rubbish?"After reading through it, I guess it did make quite abit of sense. I should know since I'm known for having a wretched life. Somehow most of the things I've always fretted about (MOST people fretted about) falls under the 'smaller things in life'. Who doesn't want to be popular? Who doesn't want to be rich? Who doesn't want to be gorgeous? Who doesn't want fame and fortune? At the end of the day, are they the things most important to you? Are you willing to give up your soul for them? I suppose if you did, they'll last you a lifetime (2 lifetimes?eternity?) but in reality, they're just temporary. Even if you have them now, you'll abuse them. Even if you have everything you wanted, they're what everyone wants as well. You're bound to face jealousy and all that backstabbing. If you have a fragile heart, I suppose it'll kill you before you get to enjoy anything. As I've mentioned before, money isn't everything. I find it ridiculous when someone goes "oh. but he's rich." SO WHAT? No one is perfect but there's someone who thinks you are and that's enough. Alright, I have veered off course. And for the life of me, I cannot remember what I wanted to say! Fuck it. Does this even make sense? Never mind, take it as more senseless mutterings that people are too kind to slam.
Au revoir ma petit idiots!
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