Applied Happiness Coaching

Too many of us sweat the small stuff.  We spend all this time worrying about what we’re going to do about this, or that, these, or those, and we miss out on everything that truly matters to us.  Your life does not revolve around the love of a single person (any significant other), and it certainly doesn’t revolve around your workday activities.  Here’s a really great story to illustrate how we all need to re-prioritize our lives a little more.

A professor of philosophy stood before his class with some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly he picked up a large empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks about two inches in diameter. He then asked the students if the jar was full. 

They agreed that it was full.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly and watched as the pebbles rolled into the open areas between the rocks. The professor then asked the students again if the jar was full.

They chuckled and agreed that it was indeed full this time.

The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. The sand filled the remaining open areas of the jar. “Now,” said the professor, “I want you to recognize that this jar signifies your life. The rocks are the truly important things, such as family, health and relationships. If all else was lost and only the rocks remained, your life would still be meaningful. The pebbles are the other things that matter in your life, such as work or school. The sand signifies the remaining “small stuff” and material possessions.

If you put sand into the jar first, there is no room for the rocks or the pebbles. The same can be applied to your lives. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are truly important. Pay attention to the things in life that are critical to your happiness and well-being. Take time to get medical check-ups, play with your children, go for a run, write your grandmother a letter. There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, or fix the disposal. Take care of the rocks first – things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just pebbles and sand.

It’s a great story, and a great lesson.Think about all the people in your life(including yourself) who constantly worry about the pebbles and sand.  This also reigns true to anyone that concentrates on a single rock as well.  Too many people are hung up on the love of another – usually an ex.  This rock can still be a rock, but it isn’t the only one in your jar!  This is your life, and your happiness!  It can never depend on someone else’s acceptance.  You lose your existence if you let that happen.  You just become an extension of that person, and they can do whit you what they wish – including love you, but also throw you away forever.

Stay yourselves, FOR yourselves.  You’re all beautiful.

Blake