On 31 Jan 2010 at 11:33pm The Webmaster wrote:
How we spend our time is directly linked to our happiness.
I will tell you a little story; A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. So the professor then picked up a box of small pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "Yes." The professor then produced two cans of beer from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
"Now", said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things - your family, your children, your health, your friends, your favorite passions - 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 golf balls. The same goes for 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 time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. There will always be time to clean the house, and fix the rubbish. Take care of the golf balls first, the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand".
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the beer represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that, no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of beers".
How we prioritise and spend our time is directly linked to our happiness, health, wealth, wisdom and friendships!
This week; have a think about that!
On 1 Feb 2010 at 12:20am SHS wrote:
Thanks webmaster, a good cut-out-and-keep memo for the kitchen. I suspect many of us have too many golf balls and a couple of cricket balls should be put in the jar first. I'll remember what you said about accepting an invitation for a beer more often though, instead of muttering excuses.
On 1 Feb 2010 at 10:18am NCG wrote:
far too many times, we live our lives whinging about things that happened yesterday or worrying about what might happen tomorrow. and in the meantime, what gets lost is........right now. today. in the immortal and very wise words of John Lennon, 'Life is what happens when we are making other plans'.
thanks, for sharing this, Webmaster.
carpe diem! B-) B-)
On 1 Feb 2010 at 10:54am Sherlock wrote:
I'm afraid we've been taught to think that money goes into the jar first and last.
On 1 Feb 2010 at 11:16am Eh? wrote:
Hopefully the person worried about rude pavement users will read this.
On 1 Feb 2010 at 12:30pm What? wrote:
Perhaps you should read it again and stop worrying about people who are worried about rude pavement users !!!
On 1 Feb 2010 at 2:23pm Eh" wrote:
LOL. And you should read it again and be less worried about people who are worried about people who are worried about rude pavement users!
On 1 Feb 2010 at 3:26pm Careful shopper wrote:
Don't worry. Be happy 
On 1 Feb 2010 at 9:55pm Spinster Of This Parish wrote:
I'm all for keeping balls in jars!
On 2 Feb 2010 at 9:49am What? wrote:
And you should....oh, you get the picture!!!
On 2 Feb 2010 at 11:20am Eh? wrote:
I'd be worried if i didn't....