A professor stood before his class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and large, empty jar and proceeded to fill it with golfballs. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of 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 once more agreed that 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 an emphatic "yes."
The professor then produced two cups of coffee 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. If you lost all else these essentials would still let your life be full".
"The pebbles are the other things that matter. Your job, Your House. 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. 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".
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee 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 cups of knowledge."
~ tweaked a little .. was sent on an email to me' .. Stood out as noteworthy, hence here I share ..
a very valuable lesson indeed. if only it could be remebered more often than it is...you can only but try.