Posted by Willow on July 17, 2001, at 22:03:36
In reply to Re: Did my job define me?, posted by mair on July 17, 2001, at 21:51:17
Subject: Rocks: A meaning for life
A philosophy professor stood before his class and had some items in front of him. When the class
began, wordlessly he picked up a large empty glass jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks - rocks
about 2" in diameter. 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, of course, rolled into the open area between the rocks. He then asked the
students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The students laughed. The professor 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 health, your children - 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, there is no room for the pebbles or the rocks. The same goes
for your 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 partner out dancing. There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, give a
dinner party and fix the disposal.
"Take care of the rocks first - the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just
sand."
poster:Willow
thread:7503
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20010717/msgs/7570.html