In the beginning of every calendar year, all the persons are usually occupied with thoughts relative to the meaning of time in life. Below we mention an interesting story that gives the answer - with a particularly elegant way - for issues that concern time and the priorities in life

A professor of philosophy appeared in his class holding a big paper box. Without speaking, he took out from the paper box an empty glass vase and began to fill it with stones. The students looked at him with query. When the vase was full he asked: "Is the vase full?", and the students answered: "Yes it is full"

He smiled and took out from the paper box a bag with pebbles and began to fill the vase, he shook the vase and the pebbles rolled and filled the gap between the stones. When the vase was filled he asked: "Is the vase full?", and the students laughed and answered: "Yes the vase is full".

He smiled once again and without speaking at all he took from the paper box a bag with sand and began to empty it in the vase. The sand was poured and filled all the gaps between the stones and the pebbles. When the vase couldn't fill more he asked: "Is the vase full?", and the students hesitated for a little but they answered: "Yes the vase is full".

He smiled once again without speaking he took from paper box two bottles of beer and began to empty then in the vase. The liquids filled all the remainder gaps of the vase. When the vase couldn't be fill anymore he asked: "Is the vase full?", and the students laughed this time and answered: "Yes it is full".

Now the professor says: "I want you to consider that this vase represents your life. The stones are the most important things in your life; these are the family, your companion, your health, your children, your good friends. The stones represent the most important things in your life, so much important that even if all the rest are absent your life will continue being full".

"The pebbles represent the other things that come to our life, such as our studies, our work, our house, our car. If you first put then in the vase there will not be any space for the stones".

"The vase is your life. If you spend time and force for small things you will never find time for the most important ones. Separate the most important things for your happiness. Speak with your parents, play with your children, enjoy your companion, care for your health and enjoy your friends. There will always be time for knowledge and studies, there will always be time for work, and there will always be time for your house and your car, to pay the council tax and the phone bill. However you should take care of the stones first. Sort out your priorities".

The students had remained speechless. However one asked what the beer represents. The professor laughed and answered. "I am glad that you ask. To you I will say. It is not important how full is your life, it not important is you are struggling, because you should know that there will always be space for a couple of beers".

go back