The Real Philosophy Of Life

A philosophy professor stood before his class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly he picked up a large empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks - rocks about 2" in diameter.

He then asked the students if the glass 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 glass lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks.

He then again asked the students if the glass was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then 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 recognise that this is your life. The rocks are the important things - your family, your health, your children - things that if everything else were lost and only they remained your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter, such as your job, your house, your car. The sand is everything else, the small stuff. If you put the sand in the jar first there is no room for all 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 really 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 and so on. There will always be time to work, clean the house, give a dinner party or fix the boiler. Take care of the rocks first - things that really matter. Set your priorities, the rest is just sand."

But a student then took the jar, which the other students and the professor agreed was now full, and proceeded to pour in a glass of beer. The beer filled the remaining space and soaked into the sand, making the jar truly full.

The student looked at the class and the professor and added...

"And furthermore this proves that no matter how full your life is, there is always room for a beer."