The Rest is Just Sand.... (standard:non fiction, 417 words)
Author: pjt	Added: Feb 18 2001	Views/Reads: 4481/1	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
I didn't write this piece. I wish I had, because I agree with its message. However, I CAN share it with you. I hope you like it!

I did not write the following story. I wish I had because I agree with
its message. I honestly don't know who wrote it; it was e-mailed to me 
without attribution by a friend. 

So, the next best thing I can do is to share it with you. I hope that
you enjoy it.... 

A philosophy professor stood before his class and had some items In
front of him. When class began, wordlessly he picked up a large Empty 
mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks, rocks about 2 
Inches in diameter. 

He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
So the professor then picked up a box of small pebbles and poured them 
into the already "full" jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of 
course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks. The students 
laughed. The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into 
The already twice-over "full" jar. Of course, the sand filled up the 
rest of the space. 

"Now," said the professor, "I want you to recognize that this is your
life. The rocks are the important things ---your education, your loves, 
your personal ideals and goals, your God, your health, your 
family---anything that is so important to you that you would be nearly 
destroyed if it were lost. The pebbles are the other things that 
matter, like your job, your house, your possessions. Then, the sand is 
everything else.The small stuff and daily clutter of life. 

If you put the sand into the jar first, there is no room for the pebbles
or the rocks. Likewise with the pebbles. 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 really important to you. 

"Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.....Put
your ideals in place and form a plan for achieving them. Play with your 
children. Take time to get medical checkups. Go out dancing. Make time 
to laugh, and love. Sit down often for long family meals. Enjoy the 
holidays. Try, always, to keep your life in focus. You will Find that 
there still is time to go to work, wax the car, watch a show On 
television, pay the bills, or fix the air conditioner. Take care of the 
rocks first, the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The 
rest is just sand. 


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