The Rest is Just Sand

The other day I was just stalking friends flipping through facebook, when one of my long time friends shared a photo with a blurb attached to it.  Usually when I have to click “see more” to read the entire passage, I quickly lose any desire to do so, assuming it is going to be some chain letter-esque story or some politically motivated spiel about gun rights.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure there’s been some life changing stories that I have missed because I am too lazy busy being productive to click one more share button.  Believe me, I’m all for people using those arrows that point to their picture that says, “This person believes in preserving the 2nd Amendment.”  Whatever other people like to do on facebook is cool by me, I’d just much rather check out the latest pics I have been tagged in.

Anyways, I suppose I read this one because it had a note attached to the blurb saying “People should read this please and thank you” from my friend (I guess that was enough of an arm twist for me), and I am actually glad I did.  Rather than share it on facebook, I decided to write a whole post about it, so in the words of my dear friend –

People should read this please and thank you.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly 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.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles 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 next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full.. The students responded with a unanimous ‘yes.’

The professor then produced two Beers from under the table and poured 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 children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions—-and 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,’ he continued, ‘there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for 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 children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and mow the lawn.

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 and said, ‘I’m glad you asked.’ The Beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for a couple of Beers with a friend.”

After making a list of resolutions last year, and checking back this year realizing that I only continued to work on a couple of them (they were big things at least – my health and relationship), I decided that taking care of my “golf balls” first pretty much encompasses all that is important to work on.  Happier, Healthier Me, gives off to Happier Relationship and Child, and all else follows  in suit.  Here’s to 2013!

Did you make any New Years Resolutions this year?