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
It is an ages old fable narrated in different ways.
Excellent moral story, it’s very helpful to me.
The story is great and it is very important for our life, it will help us so very much.
I think one line should be added at last, that is, Professor should pour a cup of tee after Sand because after all you should have a time for your family for a cup of tee. That’s all.
I am sure you are a deep thinker and a really genuine person. Your work is speaking for you. I am full with great respect for the treasure of talent you possess. Hats off !!!
Nice moral story.
So nice huhuhu the very nice story I’ve ever read.
Nice
This is just the right story that I’ve been searching for..the best moral story ever. Millions thanks to Author.
Nice…. it’s very inspirational…
So inspiring… A big lesson in short story… Nyc 1…
Life is indeed ironic. It takes weird things and needs uncommon tasks to be fully understood.
Very helpful for my project.
Good words indeed! It’s by no means true that other people who will help you besides your parents and siblings. They care about you and are always ready to be with you in toughest times. If I have free time, I spent it with my nearest people. No matter how I spent it – just talking to them, helping to do household duties, or just simply playing with them…most important thing is that I spent this little period of time together! They help me emotionally and encourage me never give up.
Story is all about true and a wonderful message to all the people around universe. Thanks for the good message.
We are all so messed up in our life that we don’t understand whom to give importance and when… this story really makes us realize what matters more in life… nice story..:)
Very well said in this story, We have to priorities our lives keep this types of stories and examples in mind. I am sure by this way some where and some time we get the good and peaceful life.
Great story. Eye opener with simple explanation.
Wonderful story.
Perfect!!!
Ya super and best story.
This story just relaxed my mind….and I thought what the hell I am running after.. thanks a lot..
Awesome!
It is true, and a really important message to always remember of. I love this website, it so helpful to daily life. I learned so much good things about life in this moral story and other stories on the main page. I LOVE THIS WEBSITE.
Thank you for this wonderful lesson. I learned a lot of things, I will use this message as a devotional to my class. Godbless.
Am impressed by this wonderful site. God bless you all.
What does it mean by “fix the disposal”?
Very nice ….
Very, very good story for everyone. I did that mistake in my life…I hope I still doing 🙂 most of peoples do that mistake that because they can’t understand what’s most important thing in they life’s, just like me 🙂 but finally everyone realized that…unfortunately that we realized that thing we can’t change those things..because we can’t go back of the time 🙁 Finally I give all of you a little advice, before you say or do something; think a minute what you’re going to do or say…just a minute.
Super. I love it.
Great examples by the professor.
It is great to read stories like this. I am Mosin from Iraq. The human must be like honey bee eating good and giving good thank you.
Nice story…
Yes, it changed my life.
The story is very precise. But the message given by the professor to his students and to us is far more huge. Every one should apply this to their lives today so that they can be more satisfied from their life.
Nice Story! The real meaning of life has been shown here in terms of a story!
Very good moral story. I think any one who follow this will definitely have a good life.
It’s a really good story.
Very much convincing.
It is just the same as our life. I think it is a good moral story for every one. Thanks 2 the author.
The story, notice that life, is precious….
Nice story……
Nice story.
Soo correct.. :).. I must take good care of my rocks than to fill my life with the small stuff.. A nice passage..
Such a great motivational story……….always trust God and do what u want…… Becoz life is too short and it gives u only once…..so enjoy your life and try to makes others happy….
Great, great, great, thanks to whoever has made it….. Thank you thank you..you make my life a great one.
I had read this story before from here itself and I loved it. Today again I’m reading it to remind myself to focus on things that are most imp in my life rather than staying in a constant state of worry for other things….thanks it’s truly helpful……
Good one….!!!
It’s important for everyone to know the value of different things in life.
This is really an excellent story and needs to be read by all the teens.
Day to day life slogans to live for Family
Very nice story.
Wow…..really high thinking…….I was depressed a few minute earliar but now I feel like I am good and I can do it.
Thanks!
Hey thanx for the beautiful stories to make life easy and cheerful….keep going…
An eye opener for anyone who is wandering here and there for sand sort of things.
Still I realized, we don’t go looking somewhere like that sand … we should spend in our family thankyou…
Every story is so immpressing and sooooooo…..good but if you can avoid using hard words that people who dont know the meanings we can pay more attention towards your site.
Now I understand that in our life rocks are more important…..
It gives a true message to us.
It’s really touchable…. We must follow this…
Nice story, enjoyed it, still the following can help us to be very in calm in life.
My view of life: Yes, family is important but be unattached because we can’t control many things in life and including family member.
Don’t try to be more perfect, because most of the things in the world not perfect and you expect to perfect where the conflict starts.
Be generous, that is what nature does with each one us. otherwise remember the nature of substance are perishable.
Be responsible, because at the end only you and your problem will left alone, nothing else or nobody else. Thanks.
I am enjoying and learning a lot on almost everything you’re bringing on the table. It’s my prayer that God should keep on blessing you, you’re changing lifes of many people with the stories. Keep it up, God be with you.
Hi Dear,
I am 67 years old. First time I have accidentally got on your blog I was very sad at the time, very inspiring stories. Some of them is what I have gone and is going in life. From my heart God Bless the people that wrote it. It is a blessing to read it every day and appreciate these beautiful stories. Thanks to ALMIGHTY GOD FOR WHAT WE HAVE. I wish I could open this in iPad, iPhone or in ebook so wherever I am I can read and tell these beautiful stories to all it is eye opening. Keep up this good work.
Wonderful example … the thing is small but content is incredible…:)
This is a really good and motivational story. I really inspire me and force me think of taking vacation ASAP and go to home and meet my parents and brother. Hats off to writer. Hope we will find more new stories.
I’m really getting a great opportunity to analyse and think deeply about my time and life.
It has a very nice moral and it is good wonderful thought for everyone.
Good stuff food for thought.
It works for me ….
Everyone should know the value of time after studying the story.. this story is simply super… I feel so happy…
It’s really a heart touching story….it’s the real life…just woowwwwww!
Wow! Really nice. I am going to talk about this in my school. Definitely that would be a hit. Thanks.
Thanks for teaching me the importence of life..
It is true we all should follow the rocks the sand and the pebbles if we follow all of these we all will live a better hopefull lovable life.