Tuesday, February 19, 2008
@ 7:48 PM
Philosophy of life
A philosophy professor stood before his class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise's jar quietly, and started to fill it to the brim with rocks - rocks about 5cm in diameter.
He then asked the students if the jar was full. The students answered, "Yes!"
To the students' amazement, the professor picked up a box of pebbles, poured tham into the jar, and gave it a gentle shake. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks.
Again he asked the students if the jar was full. Again the students answered, "Yes!"
Without a word, he picked up a box of sand carefully and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked the students once more if the jar was full. The impressed students uttered a resounding "Yes!"
At this, the professor draw out two cans of Vanilla Coke from under the table, emptying their entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
When the laughter subsided, the professor looked at his class and said, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The rocks are the important things - your family, friends, all your loved ones and your health. If everything else was lost and only these remained, your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter like your studies, your sports & activities, and your dreams. The sand represents the small stuff that takes place in your everyday life. If you put the sand into the jar first, he continued, 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. Spend time with your family. Take time to exercise, and to pursue your dreams. There will always be time for TV programmes, to go to parties, or get your hands on the coolest video or computer games.
Take care of the rocks 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 Vanilla Coke represented. The professor grinned and replied, "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room to just sit back and relax with a couple of drinks."
He then asked the students if the jar was full. The students answered, "Yes!"
To the students' amazement, the professor picked up a box of pebbles, poured tham into the jar, and gave it a gentle shake. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks.
Again he asked the students if the jar was full. Again the students answered, "Yes!"
Without a word, he picked up a box of sand carefully and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked the students once more if the jar was full. The impressed students uttered a resounding "Yes!"
At this, the professor draw out two cans of Vanilla Coke from under the table, emptying their entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
When the laughter subsided, the professor looked at his class and said, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The rocks are the important things - your family, friends, all your loved ones and your health. If everything else was lost and only these remained, your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter like your studies, your sports & activities, and your dreams. The sand represents the small stuff that takes place in your everyday life. If you put the sand into the jar first, he continued, 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. Spend time with your family. Take time to exercise, and to pursue your dreams. There will always be time for TV programmes, to go to parties, or get your hands on the coolest video or computer games.
Take care of the rocks 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 Vanilla Coke represented. The professor grinned and replied, "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room to just sit back and relax with a couple of drinks."
*Taken from NYJC student organiser 2004
;LEi