Philosophy of Life (for Chorin & everyone)

Philosophy of Life

A philosophy professor stood before his class with
some items on the desk in front of him. When the
final student was seated he picked up a large and
empty glass bottle and proceeded to fill it with
rocks...about 2" in diameter.

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

He then picked up a box of pebbles and added them to
the jar, shaking it lightly. The pebbles, of course,
rolled into the open areas between the rocks. "Is the
jar filled now?" Yes, the students said.

But then he picked up a bag of sand and poured it into
the bottle. The sand filled in everything else. Once
more he asked if it was full and after some thinking
they said that it was.

The professor then took 2 cans of beer from a bag at
the side of the desk and opening them both, poured
their entire contents into the jar. The students
roared at this demonstration.

After the laughter subsided the professor spoke: "I
want you to recognise that this jar represents your
life. The rocks are the important things in your
life; 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, and 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 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 There will
always be time to go to work, clean the house, rewire
the lamp.

Take care of the rocks first...the things that really
matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."

After the impact of what he had said settled, one of
the students raised her hand and inquired what the
beer represented.

"I'm glad you asked. It just goes to prove that no
matter how full your life may seem, there's always
room for a couple of beers."

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