Thought of the day

[Andy R]

As times are hard and some of us are feeling the pinch, I thought a little pick me up thread would be nice, because I'm nice you see...just to remind us of what the important things in life actually are.

 

 

 

my thought of the day for today is entitled - Golf balls , pebbles, sand and coffee

 

 

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him.

 

When the class began, wordlessly, he 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 cups of coffee 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 God, family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favourite passions–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,” 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. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal.”

 

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 coffee represented.

 

The professor smiled. “I’m glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.”

[David Humphries]

Nice one Andy,

a little clarity amongst the clutter gives much needed reflection, from time to time.

 

 

 

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[woodplans]

Great story Andy, helps to put things into perspective.

It is good to have a little reminder every now and again about what really matters, as it is all to easy to let the "sand" get in the way of the "balls".

[Jason James Gairn]

like that.

Thought it was going to be physics lesson about particle size first, but it became philosophy. Not that I see any difference. Thanks for posting, might use it with the kids at some stage.

[TimberCutterDartmoor]

Good job.

[Jonesie]

might use it with the kids at some stage.

 

Exactly what i thought my son has just moved in to live with me and I'm going to use this in some from.

 

Cheers SBTC

[Tully]

Dam true...........

makes a change from all the moaning that goes on in here.

nice one.

[Simon Rotheram]

Very good, my life has been taken over with sand and coffee right now!

 

...how many golf balls can you get in a jam jar?

[Mick Stockbridge]

........Ive already learnt that lesson, a different sort of balls though.

[Billy Goat Gruff]

Last time I got sand on my balls was a beach in Australia,

Very true poem,

I WILL start to build that tree house for my boys, they have only been waiting two years.