The important things in life   79 comments

Posted at 6:25 pm in Moral stories

A philosophy professor stood before his class with some items on the table 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 rocks, about 2 inches 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 areas between the rocks.

He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else.
He then asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous “Yes.”

“Now,” said the professor, “I want you to recognize that this jar represents 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,” he continued “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 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.”

 

Related Story: Life and Work

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Written by Stephen on September 13th, 2008

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79 Responses to: The important things in life

  1. Daniel -- 9 Dec 08 at 7:54 pm

     

    Then, the professor reached under the table and pulled out a bottle of PBR. He poured it in, and it, of course, fit into the gaps between sand particles. “And this, my students, demonstrates that there is ALWAYS room for a little booze in your life.”

  2. vava -- 12 Dec 08 at 2:01 am

     

    yes, indeed. its good morale. its something to think about our lifes and values.

  3. Laura -- 13 Dec 08 at 12:41 am

     

    Thank you for the wonderful site.

  4. Nice Naresh goud -- 20 Dec 08 at 4:26 am

     

    I like this story very much. I don’t think what is important in life before I read. After reading I realized that what is important in life. Thanks for author of this story.

  5. Naim -- 24 Jan 09 at 10:46 am

     

    It is true about our life…family first then rest

  6. suku -- 2 Feb 09 at 8:00 am

     

    very beautiful & touching story for students & adults

  7. pooja -- 14 Feb 09 at 4:53 am

     

    It’s very touching and heartily story.!@!@!@!@!@!@!@!

  8. Deepak -- 25 Feb 09 at 10:31 pm

     

    Wonderful story. It gives the perspecive for looking at your life in true sence.

  9. Plat -- 8 Mar 09 at 4:51 am

     

    story is incredible and value lesson

  10. Aaron -- 9 Mar 09 at 5:16 am

     

    Thanx a lot, am really touched, but in order to pay attention to the important stuff (family,etc) one needs resources, resources are got by working (hard). So I think, important things in life change as one grows up. When young, make lots of money, then get a partner you can take good care of, then get the kids. Thanx

  11. ndoumah victor -- 2 Apr 09 at 9:01 am

     

    Then the professor took a cup of coffee and poured it into the ‘filled’ jar. Of course, it filled every little gap. Then he said, “try and spend some coffee time with a friend or two”.

  12. ebong franklin -- 7 Apr 09 at 9:44 am

     

    “if you put the sand in the jar first”,……………… i think our priorities are very vital issues to be addressed.

  13. naikhatsaw -- 18 Apr 09 at 2:20 pm

     

    thought of not going home this year but family first, right? thx, u guys keep it up.

  14. renoo -- 9 May 09 at 11:10 am

     

    wow! wonderful story

  15. Amzad -- 28 Aug 09 at 3:24 am

     

    It is one of wonderful and beautiful story which I read recently.The author try to convey us that family comes first and rest is enjoyment.I agree with this author and Iam expecting more stories in future.Thank you once again.Looking feedback from readers if possible comments on feedback also../

  16. sampathkumar natarajan -- 20 Sep 09 at 12:23 pm

     

    An excellent story with a good point to all materialistic people. Hats off to the writer!

  17. Esayas Bekele Geleta -- 22 Sep 09 at 7:18 pm

     

    This is one of the few best saying that I read in my life.

  18. pascal daniel -- 25 Sep 09 at 10:23 am

     

    Very good, will help a lot of people to change their thinking and life.

  19. pascal daniel -- 25 Sep 09 at 10:25 am

     

    Very good and inspiring, will surely change d thinking of a lot of students to whom i will narrate this. do send me more on my mail id

  20. fresh-biology -- 25 Sep 09 at 5:47 pm

     

    I think that the message here is to set your social priorities first , Family always come first in fact the inner peace come from socializing with your family and friends and the unimportant things always come in the second stage even if it was more important to you than socializing.

  21. suniel Raj -- 26 Sep 09 at 2:51 am

     

    Every moral story needn’t to be true, but only thing is that the moral what it gives is inspirational & applicable.

  22. eyza -- 27 Sep 09 at 4:16 am

     

    it’s very touching story.!.!.!.!.!…………..!!!!!!wow impressing story!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  23. kamal -- 29 Sep 09 at 1:39 am

     

    This story is deeply touching………
    I have never realized the importance of my family, friends and relations ever before, it has changed my entire view,,,,,,,,,,,,,
    Thanks to the author, for making me what I really meant to be……………

  24. Kokulan -- 1 Oct 09 at 12:28 pm

     

    This is one of the greatest motivational stories I have ever read. Although I have been using a lot of motivational books and audios, the story really given me a STRONG EMPHASIS on what are the priorities in life, and in daily routine.. Really helped me to tune my MIND towards my larger goal and to ger rid of frustruations, arguments and other sensitiveness at least to certain extent..

    Thank you very much

  25. SONALI -- 4 Oct 09 at 10:43 am

     

    thankx!
    its very nice story
    full of moral values!

  26. SANJAY PARMAR -- 26 Oct 09 at 2:49 am

     

    THANKS.
    ITS A VERY NICE AND BEAUTIFUL STORY.

  27. R.Manivannan -- 6 Nov 09 at 4:21 am

     

    Short and sweet moral story

  28. praveen -- 26 Nov 09 at 1:25 am

     

    Its true that family matters a lot & it was a touching story

  29. deepu -- 8 Dec 09 at 9:00 pm

     

    wonderful story!!!!

  30. grace -- 9 Dec 09 at 5:19 am

     

    really interesting, touching and worthy story for all. i like it very much.

  31. Tauseef -- 22 Dec 09 at 5:34 am

     

    A good one! I think engaging your lifetime largely with rocks, to a good extent with pebbles and to a small extent with sand is a good formula of lifetime happiness.

  32. sidhartha -- 30 Dec 09 at 11:41 pm

     

    nice one. really heart touching.

  33. juju -- 11 Jan 10 at 8:03 pm

     

    wow i never thought of life that way… every small thing is just dirt.

  34. azmanctm -- 17 Jan 10 at 9:15 pm

     

    the power of simplicity – that is what the story demonstrates. If I may add my two cents worth… the story underlines the need to give priority to the IMPORTANT over the URGENT. Once the Important is in place, we can attend to the Urgent. If we fail to do that, we become perpetual slaves to the great tyrant called Urgent.

  35. Moses.I -- 19 Jan 10 at 12:45 pm

     

    Gud story. Gud lesson for everyone. Thanks on behalf of others also.

  36. Kapil -- 21 Jan 10 at 8:58 am

     

    Excellent Work, the story in the starting made me thought about the moral that their is always a scope for learning however intelligent you are but in last lines the writer explains about priorities was unexpected very few are able to reach here. GOOD JOB

  37. Purva -- 6 Feb 10 at 9:55 am

     

    The story was really great. It is very touching and true. I feel we must always support our family first, and this story proves it. Thank you very much.

  38. Sowmya Nyam -- 6 Feb 10 at 4:06 pm

     

    Its pathetic…

  39. Nupur -- 15 Feb 10 at 2:10 am

     

    really it’s very helpful to understand the priorities of life

  40. saathira -- 26 Feb 10 at 4:41 am

     

    I think its a very lovely story!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Really touching!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  41. Nandish -- 2 Mar 10 at 3:16 pm

     

    Yes, I do agree the important things in life are our family and loved ones.. But not to forget that the small things which is referred to as sand is so equally important that is what makes us happy. We need to enjoy the small things in life before running behind the big things.. We should not loose the small happiness and by the time we realize this it would be too late we become old..

  42. mufa -- 11 Mar 10 at 1:34 am

     

    This story also fits for time management those who always queues of no time, there is ample of time if u adjust it accordingly.

  43. tashu -- 11 Mar 10 at 9:16 am

     

    The story is really very good.

  44. primary student 2010 -- 29 Mar 10 at 6:39 am

     

    Actually, this is a very common story. I’ve read it many times on various books. There’s another story which is similar.
    In the story, a master had a very proud student. In order to teach his student a lesson, he filled a tank with rocks, pebbles, sand and water. Each time asking his student if the tank is full. The student, of course, kept saying it is full. What the master was demonstrating is that there is always something to learn and that there is unlimited knowledge. He should not be so proud as to think he knew everything.

  45. university student -- 4 Apr 10 at 12:49 pm

     

    This is the best moral story and I learned what value or importance should family be given. I must say…… it’s not only good but also the best.

  46. ANKIT -- 5 Apr 10 at 11:44 pm

     

    GOOD STORY

  47. Saa -- 9 Apr 10 at 8:21 am

     

    Thanks for ur sharing…
    Juz one word to describe “SPLENDID”… =)

  48. ahuja -- 17 Apr 10 at 8:33 am

     

    basically we know that but this story easily understand to us importants our relations.

  49. MYOVELA JULIUS -- 21 Apr 10 at 3:12 am

     

    yeah . . . . this story is deeply great, deeply touching and also it give us a good lesson , . .thanx

  50. Manish Srivastava -- 21 Apr 10 at 4:02 am

     

    Today I realised that what should be planned first. It still depends on a person what he puts as Rocks and what as sand. After reading this blog I awaked and realised that for me Rocks are my mother Father. Pebbels are my wife and Children. Sand are my lust towards House, Car etc. & Savings will be the water which can even be accomodated by the filled Jar with Rocks, Pebbels and Sand.

  51. Kevin -- 25 Apr 10 at 4:03 am

     

    Nice story. It gives a family orientated bias, which when adopted is the motivation to achieve more for those closest to us. The pebbles and sand are a distant second…

  52. Salman -- 26 Apr 10 at 4:43 am

     

    Good Story.It tells about the life.What are the important thing and usefull things in life.

  53. Prakash -- 1 May 10 at 2:22 am

     

    100% True. Good one

  54. Kavya -- 5 May 10 at 5:09 am

     

    i’m really touched by this story.
    now i’ll give more time 2 my family than anything else!!

    Thanx very much

  55. chandrashekhar n chintalwar -- 28 May 10 at 3:20 am

     

    Now I realized I always give importance to not necessary
    Now I know what is important.

    Human being always run towards his desire but he forget his loved ones……….

  56. honey -- 31 May 10 at 9:36 am

     

    Extremely its a wonderful story for everyone in this world……… any person will change their attitude after reading this story!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  57. Sreekumar -- 21 Jun 10 at 4:17 pm

     

    Very good moral story :-)

  58. jude -- 24 Jun 10 at 11:44 am

     

    love this site ive learned a lot

  59. Tamil Selvan -- 25 Jun 10 at 12:31 am

     

    Hi…,
    Good Story.., Every one is not easily getting small stuff (sand), after getting we miss rocks & Pebbles. so give first priority family and Children

  60. tanushree biswas -- 25 Jun 10 at 12:56 am

     

    great and touching story telling the priorities of life

  61. anurudhya -- 25 Jun 10 at 9:02 am

     

    really a very nice story
    and very good attitude

  62. Hari balaji -- 29 Jun 10 at 10:31 am

     

    Suberbbbb… no words to describe, Excellent

  63. preethi -- 1 Jul 10 at 8:14 am

     

    It is a good and great moral story. By reading this story, I decided to do heavy things for my family.

  64. sarwat -- 4 Jul 10 at 3:48 am

     

    wawwwwwwwwwwwwww I enjoy every word while reading it .. waw waw waw

  65. sin -- 6 Jul 10 at 3:44 am

     

    really a good way to understand the arrangments acc to values

  66. Nguyen Thu -- 6 Jul 10 at 8:46 pm

     

    It’s a great story. We should look back what we did for our family, friends, partner …. I myself can learn a lot after reading it. We should appreciate what we have now.

  67. Indrajeet -- 7 Jul 10 at 2:04 pm

     

    Awesome story….

  68. Vikram -- 17 Jul 10 at 1:57 am

     

    Really Nice Story & Moral

  69. Vikram -- 17 Jul 10 at 1:59 am

     

    Its a best story whichever i read as far as I know, Its best for me…moral of this story is good & for everyone to set their priorities…and pay attention to the their families & important things….

  70. andy -- 21 Jul 10 at 6:31 am

     

    Really nice story.

    Just not so much on how you handle the flack and intimidation you get when you leave out some of the small stuff. There’s a lot more pressure from the small stuff and its just abit too easy to say just leave it, without giving advice on how to handle the results of leaving it.

  71. EASHA -- 6 Aug 10 at 1:08 am

     

    YES ……it’s a really wonderful moral………..without our family we can’t be happy in our life

  72. EASHA -- 6 Aug 10 at 1:09 am

     

    its a nice moral………..without our family we cant be happy in our life

  73. Anushree -- 7 Aug 10 at 9:01 am

     

    Art is life; life is short…

  74. C2 -- 9 Aug 10 at 5:08 am

     

    Yes it is a very good story infact, especially those people who don’t see the other side of life. Now a days everyone busy with their work and their problems, but remember one thing we create our own problems and wait for the solutions. But everyone fails to get the solutions for their own problems.

  75. Ermias -- 10 Aug 10 at 3:26 pm

     

    a very inspiring story, it taught us what to do in life.

  76. gayathri -- 17 Aug 10 at 9:00 am

     

    superb..i think it is definition for life

  77. fantastic............. -- 22 Aug 10 at 8:31 am

     

    its just mind blowing

  78. deepthi nv -- 30 Aug 10 at 5:09 am

     

    I think its superb.

    but………….who is the author??????!!!!!!!!

  79. Christy -- 1 Sep 10 at 6:12 am

     

    Nice story………Very important to understand the life to lead.

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