Jar of life

A Professor stood before his class with some items on the table in front of him. 

When the class was begun, he picked up a very large and empty jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks, about 2 inches in diameter. 

He then asked the students if the jar was full,

They agreed that.

Now, the Professor 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 rocks.

Again he asked the students if it's full,

They agreed that.

Next time, the professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. And the sand filled up everything else. 

He asked once more if the jar was full,

The students responded, “YES”

The Professor then said, “Now I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.

The rocks are the vital things: Your family, partner, health, and your children.

If everything was lost, and only if they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter: Like your job, house and car.

The sand is everything else: the small kinds of stuff.

If you put the sand into the jar first, there will be no room for the pebbles or rocks.

The same goes to your life: If you spend all your time and energy on the small kinds of stuff, you will never have room for things vital to you.

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children, have time for your partner and family. There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, throw a dinner party and fix the disposal. 

Take care of the rocks first. The things, that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.”