I was recently at an industrial facility for my real job,
waiting on somebody. As I checked out my
surroundings, a worn and weathered bulletin board item caught my eye. It was someone’s summary of “the most
important thing (s)he learned in college”, and it went along these lines. (My summary is probably in no manner
original, but it was a simple gift to reflect on this for a few moments while
at work.)
A professor presented
a large, empty jar to his class. He
proceeded to fill it up with golf balls.
When he asked the class if it was full, the unanimous consent was
“Yes!” (I’m willing to admit that this
was probably not a class in the physical sciences.) The professor then alternately added gravel
and shook the jar. The “full” jar
accepted quite a lot. When he could get
no more gravel into the jar, the class again agreed that the jar was, indeed,
full. The professor then continued by
using the same techniques to get a bunch of fine sand into the jar. Full again?
Wrong – the jar easily accepted the contents of a couple of beer
cans.
At this point, all
were in agreement that the jar was full.
His point(s):
·
The jar
represents our life. We want to lead
lives that are as full as possible. If
we don’t fill it ourselves, it will get filled for us.
·
The golf
balls represent the important things in our life; i.e., Maslow’s basic needs of
food, shelter, safety and health; our family and friends; community and
passion. We should try to squeeze as
much of these things into our lives as possible, and these should occupy us the
most.
·
The gravel
represents the nice things in life; our hobbies and prized possessions, time
for their use, time for play, pleasure and self-reflection. Once the most important aspects of our lives
are in order, take advantage of these!
·
The sand
represents our daily tasks, aggravations and annoyances. We’ll never get rid of these, but we should
try to minimize them; and especially try to minimize their negative impact on
us. We have no control over most of these;
so let’s tolerate and manage these aspects of our lives while focusing our real
efforts and attentions to other, more important matters.
·
Finally,
the beer is simply beer. It’s a reminder
that there’s apparently always some room left in our lives for a couple of
beers (or similar substitute of choice) with a chosen companion.
Thanks to all who have helped me realize these things. I know that these are not “shattering”
conclusions or intellectual leaps in philosophy, but I think I’m getting this
right, and I appreciate being able to recognize that. I’m doubly appreciative to accept it.
Class dismissed!
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