When life overwhelms us, when our mind is a whirlwind of thoughts and we are afraid to go under, it is important to refocus on what is truly important and dear to us. The story of the “Jar of Life” tells us that even if our life feels full, there is always room for an evening with friends or family.
Why stories are important
When life gets tough a simple, well told story or metaphor can help us look at a situation with new eyes. The distilled essence how a character in a story copes with the challenges of life can teach us an important lesson. For a short moment a story helps to quiet our mind, which allows us to take a deep breath and regain some serenity. In this sense a good, powerful story can act as a wise, compassionate guide.
I hope you enjoy the story of the “Jar of Life”. May it help you in a difficult situation.
The Jar of Life
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.
He then proceeded to fill the jar with golf balls.
“Is the jar full?” he asked his students. “Yes,” everyone responded.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly; The pebbles rolled into the areas between the golf balls.
“Is the jar full?” he asked again.The students responded with an unanimous: “Yes.”
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course the sand filled up all the space left.
He asked once more: “Is the jar full?”. “Yes, of course,” everyone responded.
The professor then produced two beers from under the table and poured the entire content into the jar, filling the empty space between the sand.
Everyone laughed.
“Now,” the professor said as the laughter subsided. “I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things. Your family, your children, health, friends and favorite passions. 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 or 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 golf balls. The same goes for 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 critical to your happiness.
Spend time with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit your grandparents. Take your spouse out for dinner. Go out with your friends. There will always be time to clean the house and mow the lawn.
Take care of the golf balls first, the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.”
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the beer represented. The professor smiled and said: “I am glad you asked. The beer just shows that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for a couple of beers with a friend.”
– Author unknown
Namaste.
P.S. While trying to find the author of this story I stumbled over many articles and videos using the metaphor of the jar. Stephen Covey uses the “rocks first” metaphor in his book First things first. Maybe he was the original author of the story, probably he picked it up somewhere and by retelling it participated in keeping this priceless wisdom alive.
P.S.S. If you liked this story you might enjoy the Balanced Action book. It contains this story and many others. Buy it today.
Balanced Action 
I like your drawing that go with this story. You make good points for a productive life by concentrating on the big issues first.
Thank you for liking my drawings :-). I feel that sometimes I can express myself better through drawings than through words.
Zynkin loves this …..Keep it simple ,the best way in life and I love the drawings!
Thank you so much for your feedback on the drawings 🙂
Reblogged this on Beerasana and commented:
We love this.
Thanks for re-blogging and all the fun, inspiring Yoga articles you post.
Hi, can i use one of your images for a presentation that i am making on myself? It is for non-commercial purposes.
Thanks
Hi Jimmy, feel free to use the images. Glad that you like them. Good luck with your presentation.
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I like your illustrations a lot, and the story is nicely told! I first stumbled upon the “Jar” idea here: http://alistapart.com/article/pickle (many years ago)
Thank you Stephanie. Looking forward to work together.
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Reblogged this on JustJoleene and commented:
I read this a while back and it came back to me last night. I am so glad I found it again, it makes you stop and smell the flowers, no matter what is happening, as long as you have your golf balls you will be forever rich…Happy Wednesday
Thank you for re-blogging 🙂 All the best to you!
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Great illustrations! I hope it is ok to use in a small work-blog on an internal web site? I will refer to your site, of course!
Hi Petra, sure happy if you can use them. Have a great day.
I’ve seen this so many times, but was trying to locate it again for a presentation in class. I like your spin on the tale and have to add my appreciation for your illustrations. I hope you don’t mind if I use the drawings, as well. Mine is for a class presentation; I will happily credit you and include the page address so they can read it for themselves.
Hi Patrick, happy you like the illustrations :). Please feel free to use them for your class presentation. Good luck!
Reblogged this on Verb and commented:
I hear this story many years ago and it is always a good reminder about time management and what we think of as possible.
Thanks for reblogging 🙂
Thank you for the great post! It has been a while since I’ve read the story but the lesson never left me.
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Reblogged this on The sense.
I love this!! Really puts things in perspective!
Thanks!
Yeah..Perfect story..also we have the same story in Turkish
Woo!! they are really cool drawing stuff’s
An amazing site out there with interviews successful entrepreneurs about their real life and entrepreneurial ideas and converts them into simple life lessons for today and tomorrow’s entrepreneurs. (http://keenbiztech.co.tz/)
I love this!
You are very correct. First thing first, it is very interesting posting
Thank you for sharing. It was a great story.
Thank you for reading. I wish you a nice day.
I like your drawings, Great work!!
And I also wrote my first blog please read 😊
Congratulations for your first blogpost!
Love it, thank you. 😊
Thank you for leaving this nice feedback 🙂
You’re welcome! It was really weird, I had just published a post on how I needed to find more time for myself – and there you were! I have also posted a link for your blog on my site.
There is always room for beers with friends
There is 🙂
Gotta love stories that make you smile and feel a little wiser. Thanks for story and great illustrations!
I couldn’t agree more: There is nothing more important that a story that makes us smile.
Reblogged this on Fox Pines Homestead and commented:
This is as true today and it was in the past. Stephen Covey used this analogy years ago in his book First Things First. And even tough we all know the most important things SHOULD be first in our lives, it’s too easy to get lost in the minutiae of daily life.
I’ve heard this story before, but I love your illustration.
…And it’s always good to be reminded!
What an inspiring story. It hits me.And now I already know what are the first thing I should do first.Perfect.
Happy that the story helps you set you’re priorities 🙂
Yeah! Thanks to you. Everything is clearer now.
Yes, go and meet your friends!
I will, as soon as possible.
Reblogged this on Wayne Boyd's Rational Thinking 101.
Thank you for reblogging
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Reblogged this on From the heart of me and commented:
Have heard this before but had forgotten all there was to it
Thank you for reblogging.
First time I hear this story – love it – thanks
I’ve heard the story many times now. Can’t think of a better way to explain life/time management better than this. There’s always “room” if you have the will to make it.
Yes it’s a great story. I hope it helps people find a way to set healthy priorities.
I hear this story so many times. Honestly i like your drawing. 😄
Yes, it’s a great story. I hope many people meet teachers like this at school.
nice
I like this
Thank you for your kind feedback.
Last answered all question
Beautiful portrayal of one’s life. Loved it. Thanks for sharing. Namaste 😊
Namaste to you 🙂
Awesome . ….
Thank you 🙂
Nice
I love that story. Really liked the jar illustrations too.
this is so important for me right now…thank you
You’re welcome 🙂
Amazing story, thanks for sharing
Will love to reblog this on https://amaserwaanhyiracom.wordpress.com/
Thank you for reblogging 🙂
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This is an awesome post… Love it..
Thank you!
You’re most welcome…. I’m new here but would like to increase knowledge through people like you..
Great writing bro…I enjoyed the story and the greatest note that you appended with the writing…the name of the book BALANCED ACTION By Philipp T. Schneider…after reading your post I ordered a copy of the book…thanks dear…
Hey, this a great! I hope you like the book.
Ya…I am waiting to get it for some great insights…
I hope the stories in it will make you smile. You are the first person ordering online. So far I had only sold my books to people in Switzerland. Let me know if everything works fine.
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Beautiful write up, made my day🙋🏼
Thanks 🙂