A philosophy professor stood before his class and had some items in front of him. When the class started, wordlessly the professor picked up a large, empty jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks — rocks about two inches in diameter. 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, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks. He again asked the students if the jar was full. Again they agreed it was.
Then the professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else.
“Now,” said the professor, “I want you to recognize that this is 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, 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’ll 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 check-ups. Take your partner out dancing. There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, give a dinner party, and fix the disposal.
“Take care of the rocks first — the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand — small stuff.”
One of our readers submitted the above. I agree with much of what this “philosophy” professor said with the exception of the first thing in the jar should have been his relationship with God. Family, health, partner, children are secondary to Jesus. He is the “Rock” and we should base our entire lives around Him. Jesus is critical to our happiness. Without Him there can be no real peace and happiness. He must be first and foremost in our lives if we are to succeed.
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Psalm 31:1
In you O Lord, I put my trust;
Let me never be ashamed;
Deliver me in your righteousness.
Bow down your ear to me,
Deliver me speedily;
Be my rock of refuge;
A fortress of defense to save me.
For You are my rock and my fortress . . .
November 1 2016 – Click here to listen