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
actually he could still add water and that would fill in too🙂☺just sayin
Thanks a lot for this inspirational story
Am too late to redefine my priorities in my life.
No you are Not late..Its never late
ya i agree ..it can never be late if you truly want something
This story is wow.I love it, it is interesting.
GOOD EVENING,
VERY MUCH TRUE- REALLY INSPIRING
THANKS AND REGARDS
Best Motivational….
Super…
True always,because family is the first gift from the God. So we agree with the story
Nothing is more important than our family.
This is a deep, important, penetrating analogy! so true Family First!
Agreed
wow!! help to see the bright side of life
It’s so very nice i like it.
story is desirable
i like this very much.
it can change my story.
Simply true and all the more relevant in the modern society, thank you very much
It inspired me a lot l luv
Yes, it is true. we need to prioritize our family first. Sometimes, in our life, we are succumb on the happiness from outside and eventually could not escape. (that is the sand, the jar eventually full with sand, and there is no more space for the rock which is our family).
Wow….such a great piece! Just discovered this website and will definitely be visiting often.
Very nice Story. Truly inspiring. I must say it is not only good but it is best story I ever have read
good story to follow our life and to focus on important things .
Wow….
Actually I was searching for the moral stories for my students, byluck i entered this website..and the rest is wow & wow & wow..
Good and great story.
It’s awesome..In these simple short stories you just showed what is life..
I agree
Well said. A crisp way of setting priorities
Nice piece. Everything has a procedure in order to come out as perfect as it is, have learnt a lot through the story.
Woww.. It’s really a nice story… Good morals… Are said. In wonderful way… Really i lov it. I won’t forget it life long.
Very nice story. I have given some of more example to my students using this story. It has helped me in teaching also. Thank you Author.
I love this story, is always true to put family first in all things we do.
A very good story to the present generation, especially those who know little as to how to deal with life.
It’s very nice story and heart touchable.
Really inspiring, thank you for all these stories.
It’s a very motivated story. I can follow this story . This story is very beautiful.
Good Story, We all know importance of family but the way of explaning is great, I like it so much
I in fact believe this has touched my skin! I have never thought to think of life as a mason jar filled with grimy dirt and sand, topped of with some cheap beer. Really makes you broaden you outlook on the URGENT and IMPORTANT as that one “Dr phil wana be”” was philosophizing about in the comments previously. Plus if you think about it we all only live once with short life’s at that. So go find a mason jar and take long hard elimination inside it. You will then appreciate everything in life compared to the droppings you have in your reconciled jar.!
Very good and inspirational story
I really like this story! It really just Came to me!
I realy appreciate de writer he make me realized that their is something we need to care about what a great story i just seen in eye i have read maney story i have not seen such story is realy great and lovely.
Very interesting story.Luv it!
Very good story
These stories should be translated in all the regional languages of the world so as they can reach far and wide. Ill be happy to translate all these to Hindi.
it was very nice….we always crying for small things.
This story taught me the most valuable that family is rather than spending time with other stuff. I liked this story so much. A big thank to the author of this story.
Its most wonderful stories
Realy inspirable
Very true
wow, am encouraged. MATTHEW 6:33-Seeking first the kingdom of God. amen
This is beyond my expression Sir,
This is a story that really need for everybody’s life ……….Thaks a lot …….
Yes, this story is reality basis and it’s heart touching.
but, a very persons follow in their life.
M vry touched.. Vry inspirational story I jst luv this story..N agree with this…parents r the first priority… Thnx
I love the story
@Daniel cheers to your comment! 😀 😀 indeed!
Yes, 100% right….If there is no family then we feel like alone and a family is indeed we honestly need their help at all times. Thank you for the nice and with good moral story.
Thanks for this site
interesting
It is one of the best stories i have read.
No matter how much I stress about work, the important thing is my family. They are my support structure all the time
This is what I needed at this moment in time, thank you dearly
This story really good and interesting
I liked it. Truly inspiring story…normally people go in search of small stuff, which will not give peace and happiness in life..the thing is..always our family is our backbone..without the support of our family ,we cant achieve anything in our life..so give them space in your life rather than the less valued small stuffs..
Amazing story on how to live life.Thanks
The Prof. Is really a motivational being, Am really touch with this.
I liked it.. not only liked, I will follow this in my daily life.. thanks for the writer..
When young we gave priority to sand, pebbles and then to rocks. As adults we reverse the order: rocks, pebbles and sand. The story is well wrought out.
Very valuable and touching story
Very very inspiring story.
I got some lessons on this Story.
Very good
Thanks Great one…simple & nice
I too like the story..
Good explanation
So simpler and easier-seeming to just fill your life with sand… Perhaps if once the jar is full, your life is up, then filling up with sand would be less tempting cause it would finish a lot faster! Also note if you know where to place them, you can fit more in by adding some pebbles and sand at the same time as adding the large rocks.
The story is true. Without no shadow of doubt, there are many of impecable birth and they end up misusing their prowes just because they take less important things to occupy the largest percentage of their lives.
I fell this is reality but this type of life spending every people…….
beautiful story really…..
I love this story men
Nice and educational story
The story is really good and inspired…..
I was told this in S.S class on Friday and kids were throwing their phones away.
The story is really very inspiring. It gives the lesson of which things are more important in our life.