As we kick off the 20th Anniversary year of Elegant Island Living, I came across some words of wisdom that I thought I’d share, hoping it helps start 2022 off on a great note.
Rocks Pebbles Sand
A philosophy professor stood before his class with some items in front of him. When the class began, he picked up a large empty jar and proceeded to fill it to the top with rocks about 2 inches in diameter. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They all agreed it was full. The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly and watched as the pebbles rolled into the open areas between the rocks. The professor again asked the students if the jar was full. They chuckled and agreed that now it was indeed full.
Finally, the professor picked up a bag of sand and poured it into the jar. The sand ran over and between the rocks and pebbles, filling the remaining open space until the jar was completely filled.
“Now,” the professor addressed the class, “I want you to recognize this jar signifies your life. The rocks represent the truly important things, such as family, health, and relationships. If all else was lost and the rocks remained, your life would still be meaningful. The pebbles are the other things that matter in your life, such as work or school. The sand represents the remaining “small stuff” and material possessions. If you put the sand into the jar first, there is no room for the rocks or the pebbles. The same idea can be applied to your lives. If you spend all of your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are truly important.
Remember, take care of the rocks first. The rest is just pebbles and sand.
