I know this is off topic but having seen it on another site I thought it
worth sharing.

This simple lesson in life is a good thought to start the new year

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.

So 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
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 cans of beer 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,
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,
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 beer
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
beers."


Happy new year



David Hill
Abacus nurseries
www.abacus-nurseries.co.uk

On Tue, 6 Jan 2004 18:42:54 -0000, "David Hill"
wrote:

I know this is off topic but having seen it on another site I thought it
worth sharing.

This simple lesson in life is a good thought to start the new year

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

David, that's wonderful. Thanks so much for sharing it with us (well,
with me - I dare not presume to speak for anyone else g).

--
Sally in Shropshire, UK
http://www.stonybrook-ludlow.co.uk
If you need to email use sally=thompson@btinternet=com and replace the = with a dot
(Reply To is spam trap)

"Sally Thompson" wrote
"David Hill" wrote:

I know this is off topic but having seen it on another site I thought it
worth sharing
This simple lesson in life is a good thought to start the new year
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front
of
him. snip story

David, that's wonderful. Thanks so much for sharing it with us (well,
with me - I dare not presume to speak for anyone else g).
Sally in Shropshire, UK

You may speak for me Sally :~))
Nice one David - I presume URG is a golfball ?
Jenny

Drink is the answer.

(sorry - what was the question?)

I only drink to steady myself actually. Trouble is, sometimes I get so
steady I can't move.

.. . . and finally . . . my grandad (who was a very keen gardener indeed)
used to say, "when I can't drink any more, pour it in my ear."


Andrew
(more recycled "green" jokes)



"JennyC" wrote in message
...

"Sally Thompson" wrote
"David Hill" wrote:

I know this is off topic but having seen it on another site I thought
it
worth sharing
This simple lesson in life is a good thought to start the new year
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in
front
of
him. snip story

David, that's wonderful. Thanks so much for sharing it with us (well,
with me - I dare not presume to speak for anyone else g).
Sally in Shropshire, UK

You may speak for me Sally :~))
Nice one David - I presume URG is a golfball ?
Jenny

"Andy Hunt" wrote in message ...
Drink is the answer.

(sorry - what was the question?)

I only drink to steady myself actually. Trouble is, sometimes I get so
steady I can't move.

. . . and finally . . . my grandad (who was a very keen gardener indeed)
used to say, "when I can't drink any more, pour it in my ear."


Andrew
(more recycled "green" jokes)



"JennyC" wrote in message
...

"Sally Thompson" wrote
"David Hill" wrote:

I know this is off topic but having seen it on another site I thought
it
worth sharing
This simple lesson in life is a good thought to start the new year
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in
front
of
him. snip story

David, that's wonderful. Thanks so much for sharing it with us (well,
with me - I dare not presume to speak for anyone else g).
Sally in Shropshire, UK

You may speak for me Sally :~))
Nice one David - I presume URG is a golfball ?
Jenny

The prof could have wowed the gang even more by then filling the glass
again, with water. A great trick: IIRC, you fill a pint glass with
sand, then add a full half-pint of water.

Perhaps if you fill your glass with soil and water, there's no room
for balls. Which is a good thing!

Mike.