｢Is Your Life Full?｣

｢Is Your Life Full?｣

A philosophy professor stood before his 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 rocks，
about 2" 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 pebbles
and poured them into the jar.
He shook the jar lightly.
The pebbles， of course，
rolled into the open areas
between the rocks.
He then asked the students again
if the jar was full.
They agreed it was.
The professor picked up a box of sand
and poured it into the jar.
Of course， the sand filled up everything else.
He then asked once more if the jar was full.
The students responded with an unanimous yes.
The professor then produced a cup of coffee
from under the table
and proceeded to pour 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 rocks are the important things --
your family， your partner，
your health， your children --
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 rocks.
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 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 dancing.
There will always be time to go to work，
clean the house，give 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
"One of the students raised her hand and inquired，
"What does the coffee represent? "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 nice cup of coffee."

(注:タイトルは私が付けました。)