One day, a professor of philosophy was teaching his lecture to his
students. He carried some things with him and placed them on the table. When
the course began, he took a big empty jar which clear as crystal and started to
fill it with pretty massive stones. Then the professor questioned his students:
„Is the jar full? “. They confirmed that it was.
Later the professor picked up a box filled with some small pebbles,
poured them into the jar and shook it, so that pebbles filled the open areas
between the stones. He questioned once again: „Is the jar full? “. They approved
that it was.
This time the professor poured a pail of sand into the jar, and the
sand filled up the jar without vacancy anymore.
„Now,“ said the professor, „I need you to see that this jar is as
similar as your life – the stones are the most significant things, your main
values – your family, health, morality.
The pebbles are other stuffs – your career, house, and car. The sand
represents the small matter.
So if you pour the sand into the jar first, there would be no room
left for pebbles and large stones. Therefore, put most of our consideration to
the things that are the most imperative in life. Spend enough time with your
family, take care of your health and don‘t forget to develop mentally. Be sympathetic, authentic, thoughtful, and supportive.
These are the things that really matter. They should be your priorities. The rest
is just sand.
