Saturday, January 30, 2010

Philosophy Time!

A philosophy professor stood next to a table in front of the classroom. The table displayed a large empty jar and several boxes neatly arranged. When the class began, she picked up the empty jar and filled it to the top with rocks from the first box. She then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor then picked up the next box and poured small pebbles into the jar. She shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks. She then asked the students again if the jar was full. They again agreed it was.

The professor picked the last box and poured sand 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 check-ups. 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.

But then... A student approached the table, took the jar which the other students and the professor agreed was full--and proceeded to pour in a bottle of beer. Of course the beer filled the remaining spaces within the jar making the jar truly full.

The moral of this tale is that no matter how full your life is, there is always room for BEER.

I wish I could take credit for this OR that I could find the original source so I could give proper credit. Suffice to say: 'tis BRILLIG!!!!

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