Once a wise man, in front of students, took a big glass jug and filled it with big stones. Then he asked students if the jug was full or not. Everyone confirmed that it was full.
In that case wise man took a little box with little stones and poured them into the jug. Then shook the jug a little. Little stones moved in the jug and filled little spaces. Then he asked again if the jug was full or not. “It is full” – Students confirmed again.
At last wise man took a box with sand in it and poured it into the jug. Definitely sand filled the little spaces which remained in the jug.
“Now?” – wise man appealed to the students.
“I’d like you to know the life with this jug. Bigger stones show important things in your life: your family, your loved ones, your health, your children – things which would be able to fill your life even if other things were not in your life. Less stones show less important thing like your job, your apartment, your house or your car. Sand symbolize slender things, bustles. If you filled your jug with sand at first, then there wouldn’t be space for bigger stones. Also if you waste all your energy to less important things, you wouldn’t have any for valuable things. So pay attention to important things at first, find time for your children and beloved ones, take care of yourselves. You would have enough time for your work, for house, for celebrations and etc. Look after you bigger stones – only they have the price, others are only sand.”
