A philosophy professor stood before his class with some items on the table 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 rocks, each about five centimeters in diameter. He then asked the students if the jar is full.

They agreed that it was. So the professor then picked up a box of peebles, of course, rolled into open areas between the rocks. He then asked the students again if the jar is full. They agreed that 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 one more time if the jar was full. The students responded with unanimous “Yes”.

“Now,” said the professor, “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 peebles are the other things that matter- like your job, your house, your car. The sand is everything else. The small stuff.”

He continued: “ If you put the sand into the jar first, there would be no room for the peebles 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 check-ups. 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.”