Jar of Life- Valuable lessons for a happier life.

Professor fills pickle jar with rocks, sand, and beer, then one student raises his hand This incredible story teaches us all a valuable lesson for a happier life. 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 pickle 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 pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, 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 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.” He finally picked up two beers and slowly poured them into the jar. After the foam settled he asked his students one last time if the jar was full. They all laughed and said “Yes.” “Now,” said the professor, “I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls 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 golf balls. 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 golf balls first – the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.” The room was silent for a moment as the students processed what the Professor had just said, then one young man raised his hand. “Professor, what do the two beers represent?” he asked. The Professor smiled and said “No matter how full your life gets, there’s always room for a couple of drinks with a good friend.” Do you agree with the professor? Like and share this story if you felt uplifted after reading it. Please leave a comment on Facebook and let us know what you thought about the story.