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The important things in life

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 the remaining open areas of the jar.

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, or fix the disposal.”

“Take care of the rocks first – the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.”

Author Unknown

{ 703 comments… add one }
  • Nikola Georgiev November 16, 2023, 12:15 am

    Story is deep heart touching

  • Pooja hada September 15, 2023, 12:49 pm

    Wow, this story is very inspiring and motivational

  • Aruhi July 15, 2023, 9:04 am

    What a beautiful story

  • Anonymous June 25, 2023, 11:42 pm

    Very important lessons

  • Abraham Daniel June 8, 2023, 7:59 am

    This is so motivational!

  • parvatham sai tharun March 12, 2023, 7:26 pm

    Really! lovely message.

  • shukria Auobi January 31, 2023, 3:11 am

    Wow, this is the best advice I have ever heard.

  • Edwin September 14, 2022, 3:14 pm

    I love your story and I think your did a great job 😁

    • Yuvraj June 25, 2023, 9:41 am

      Good motivation

  • Uma Maheswar Nakka September 9, 2022, 11:55 pm

    Good Morning,
    Very true, nice story.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Regards
    Uma

  • Anom Raphael August 29, 2022, 5:30 pm

    I really like it as I found myself to be here I love the story I love you prof it is really entertaining

  • Staphod Cylas July 21, 2022, 2:35 pm

    Duh, this story motivated me a lot. I LOVE IT

  • Ben Dover March 15, 2022, 1:58 pm

    I agree, man!

  • Ben Dover March 15, 2022, 1:58 pm

    Very eye-capturing metaphor. Really brings out the important things in life. 10/10. Would read again.

  • e March 15, 2022, 1:47 pm

    Very good moral. Me is agree with moral is big cool

  • Kapil January 14, 2022, 3:06 am

    Got this story in my office email, loved it.

  • Dumba Mohammed December 20, 2021, 5:52 am

    Very inspirational.

  • Vicky November 9, 2021, 7:43 am

    This story has inspired me so much.

  • Mike October 17, 2021, 12:07 am

    I really like this story.

  • A Awcali Farah October 13, 2021, 10:39 am

    This was very very amazing empowering story

  • Tammy September 18, 2021, 4:47 am

    😍😍 This made me strong 💪

  • Lyana August 25, 2021, 8:03 pm

    This is really motivational.

  • mouza alkhaili August 10, 2021, 11:02 pm

    Very educated

  • raj July 14, 2021, 2:05 am

    very impressive

  • Bett Emmanuel July 8, 2021, 12:00 am

    Very educative.

  • Uzma November 19, 2020, 11:59 am

    The motivational story was very inspiring

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