I got this in my email when I came back from my family reunion. I've heard it before, it might have been posted on here already too (not sure). I just thought it might give you some encouragement to focus on what's really important.<P>Karen<P><BR>A philosophy professor stood before his class and had some items in front of him. When class began, wordlessly he picked up a large empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks right to the top, rocks about 2" diameter.<BR>> > > ><BR>He then asked the students if the jar was full? They agreed that it was.<BR>> ><BR>So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them in to the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks. <P>The students laughed.<BR>> > > ><BR>He asked his students again if the jar was full? They agreed that yes, it was.<BR>> > > ><BR>The professor then picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else.<BR>> > > ><BR>"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 - anything that is so important to you that if it were lost, you would be nearly destroyed.<BR>> > > ><BR>The pebbles are the other things in life that matter, but on a smaller scale. The pebbles represent things like your job, your house, your car.<BR>> ><BR>The sand is everything else. The small stuff.<BR>> > > ><BR>If you put the sand or the pebbles into the jar first, there is no room for the rocks. The same goes for your life. If you spend all your energy and time on the small stuff, material things, you will never have room for the things that are truly most important.<BR>> > > ><BR>Pay attention to the things that are critical in your life. Play with your children. Take your partner out dancing.<BR>There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, give a dinner party and fix the disposal." <P>Take care of the rocks first - the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just pebbles and sand.<BR>> > > ><BR>

I am crying, I have never heard that, but now I am going to collect rocks, pebbles, and sand, and make my own jar. I will print this out and put it in the jar so as to not forget why I made it. And While I am at it, I think I will make "JARS" for a few family members. Thank you for sharing this.<BR> I might even call it the JARS of LIFE. HEE HEE!

Great post Topie!!!

Great analogy, just sent it to W.<BR>GC

Hi Topie!<P>Thanks for this! I have heard it before and love the analogy.<P>And ... I have read a variation on it as well ........ after all the rocks, pebbles and sand they poured Beer in the jar ... and the moral was .. there's always room for Beer. LMAO!

glad you folks like it <P>Karen<BR>

Absolutely fabulous post, Toppie! I received the very same in my e-mail account a few months ago and was so impressed that I copied it onto my Document file.<P>I think Alexy has a great idea - JARS OF LIFE! Also Resilient had me almost peeing my pants with laughter!!! You guys sure do have a sense of humor.<P>Well, I think I'll stick it up on my fridge - that way anyone who comes into the kitchen can read it. Maybe I'll have extra copies on hand in case anyone wants one!!!<P>Cheers!!!

Karen:<P>To maintain the rocks/pebbles/sand analogy: my sediments exactly. Despite how full we perceive our jar to be, there is always room. For unlike the analogy, our personal jars are capable of growth.<P>Godspeed,<BR>STL

STL: You silty...er.. I mean surely have a great sense of humour! LOL (sorry, that's the best I could come up with! )<P>Karen<BR>

a little bump up, for encouragement. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

Karen

How did I miss this the first time around???... Oh... yeah.... we were in Vegas...

This is terrific!!

in a weird sorta way... it made me miss that summer and posting to all of YOU!

don't you wonder how trueheart is? Z still posts... but what about STL?

Cali

Cali: I remember your trip to Vegas! What a turnaround your life was after that. From what I know of you on here, I would consider that trip to be one of your life's "defining moments".

I know what you mean about feeling nostalgic in a 'wierd' sort of way. But I'm so happy that we don't have to go back to that time. Hindsight is 20/20, and although we NOW know how to deal with the crap (?) that was going on in our lives then... I sure wouldn't want those raw emotions resurfacing again.

Karen

ROTFLMAO!! I've gotten the rock-pebble-sand analogy via email, but never with beer. Dang, I like that one <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

great post!!! I heard this in church about a year ago. thanks!!

just another bump for those who may have missed it yesterday. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

Karen