When your life comes difficult to handle, when it feels like you’re being pulled in a number of directions and you need another 10 hours in the day, remember the jar and the glasses of wine…
A teacher stood before his class and had some items in front of him.
When the class began, he picked up an empty mason jar and proceeded to fill it with stones.
He then asked the students if the jar was full. They said that it was.
The teacher then scooped up handfuls of pebbles and poured them into the jar. As he shook the jar, the pebbles dropped into the open areas between the stones. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The teacher next poured sand into the jar, and the sand filled up everything available space. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous ‘yes.’
The teacher then produced two glasses of wine and poured the contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
‘Now,’ said the teacher, as the laughter subsided, ‘I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The stones are the important things; your family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite 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, and 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 stones. The same goes for life: If you spend all your time and energy on the small Stuff.
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 holes. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the stones first; set your priorities. The rest is just sand.’
One of the students raised his hand and inquired what the wine represented.
The teacher smiled. ‘I’m glad you asked. It goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for a couple of glasses of wine with a friend.’
Alan Chin
I retired from Information Technology in 1999 to devote my time to writing. My first novel, Island Song, was published in September, 2008 by Zumaya Publications. My second novel, The Lonely War, was published in November 2009, also by Zumaya Publications. I have a third manuscript, Match Maker, currently searching for a publisher.
I began studying the art of writing screenplays in 2008, and am currently polishing two original screenplays while writing a fourth novel.
In addition to writing novels and screenplays, I am making a name for myself by writing book reviews and author interview for several online publications which include: a Examiner.com GLBT Literature column, the Lambda Literature website, Queer Magazine Online, and QBliss Magazine.
Website: AlanChin.net
Blog: AlanChinWriter.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/AlanHChin