[smee] Fw: Theres always time for a beer or two and other thoughts
- From: "steenhoek" <steenhoek@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "SMEE" <smee@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 14 Oct 2003 21:27:00 -0600
I dont usually forward things like this...but I firmly believe this prof is the
smartest man alive...
The professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in
front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and
empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then
asked the students if the jar was full.
'They agreed that it was. So 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 asked once more if
the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous "yes."
The professor then produced two cans of beer 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
recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important
things--your family, your children, your health, your friends, your
favorite passions--things that 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, 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. Take time
to get medical checkups. Take your boyfriend/girlfriend out to dinner.
Play another 18 holes of golf. There will always be time to clean the house,
and fix the disposal. "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 beer 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 beers.
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