A professor stood at the front of a philosophy class with some items on a table. He silently picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and filled it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed.
The professor then picked up a box of small stones and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The stones settled into open areas between the golf balls. He again asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed.
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 agreed with a unanimous yes.
The professor then produced some real ale from under the table and poured the contents into the jar filling empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
As the laughter subsided the professor continued, “I want you to recognize that the jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things – your family, your children, your health, your friends and your passions. If everything else was lost your life would still be full. The stones also matter – your job, your house and 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 stones or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend too much time on the small stuff, you will never have room for what’s most important to you and your happiness. Spend time with your family. Take time to get health checkups. Go out to dinner with your partner. There will always be time to do the chores. Take care of the golf balls first – the things that really matter. The rest is just sand.”
One of the students raised her hand and asked what the real ale represented. The professor smiled, “The real ale just shows that no matter how full your life might seem, there is always room for a pint with a friend!”
