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Redefining Life Goals

  • 3 min read
** These are my "golf balls" **

Life has been more than a little chaotic lately. With so many great things on the horizon, it’s easy to get bogged down with the small details (for example- wedding napkin colors- who really cares!?). I was feeling slightly overwhelmed this morning when someone on my Facebook Feed shared this quote (below), and I thought it was too good not to share again. Even if this is cliche and simple, it hit me at the exact moment when I needed to stop and reevaluate some things. Does this ever happen to you?

As life gets more and more busy and filled with so many things that seem important, it’s especially nice to redefine your life goals, your passions, and what makes you feel whole. Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in the small details that you miss the opportunity to pursue those larger, more important experiences. For some that could be getting married (me) or setting out to travel around the world- whatever they are for you, I hope you are able to concentrate on those.

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A professor stood before his philosophy 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 golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles roll ed into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full.. The students responded with a unanimous ‘yes.’

The professor then produced two Beers from under the table and poured 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 golf balls are the important things—-your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions—-and 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 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 that are critical to your happiness. Spend time with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. 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’m glad you asked.’ The Beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for a couple of beers with a friend.

  • 3 min read

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