Monday, October 13, 2008

Rocks, Pebbles, Sand


I saw this on one of my favorite blogs, Sensibly Sassy, and I just couldn't resist sharing it with all of you.


I think this is just a great message! Thanks SS!!!


A philosophy professor stood before his class and had some items in front of him.


When the class began, wordless, he picked up a large empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks, rocks about two inches in diameter.


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 gently. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks. He then asked the students again if the jar was full.



The students laughed and then agreed that it was.


The professor then picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course , the sand filled up everything else.


"Now," said the professor, "I want you to recognize that this is your life. The rocks are the important things-your family, your partner, your children, your health,-anything that is so important to you that if it were lost, you would be nearly destroyed.


The pebbles are the other things that matter-your job, your house, your car.


The sand is everything else. The small stuff."


"If you put the sand into the jar first, there is no room for the pebbles or the rocks.



The same goes for your life. If you spend all your energy and time on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are really important to you."


"Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Take care of the rocks first, the things that really matter. Set your priorities.


The rest is just sand..."

5 comments:

Sarah said...

I am glad you liked it! It totally struck me too. Such a great message to pass along

Lindsay said...

OH MY GOSH! I love this and it is soooo true. I have to copy it!

HM said...

I've heard this before and I love it!

Allison said...

Love it!!!

Larissa said...

I've heard that illustration before, and have found it a great philosophy that helps me set priorities and structure my life.