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Golf
Ball Theory of Life
A professor stood before his Philosophy 101 class and had some
items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked
up a very large and empty mayonnaise 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 everything else. He then 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 proceeded to pour 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 partner, your health, your children,
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 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 time to get medical checkups. Take
your partner out dancing. Play another 18. There will always be
time to go to work, clean the house, give a dinner party and fix
the disposal.
"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."
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