The big rocks

An expert on time management was speaking to a group of business students. The students were all high-powered over-achievers.

He pulled out a one-gallon, wide-mouthed mason jar and set it on the table in front of him. He produced a dozen first-sized rocks and carefully placed them, one at a time, into the jar.

When the jar was filled to the top, and when no more rocks would fit inside, he asked: "Is this jar full?"

Everyone in the class said: "Yes!"

Then he said: "Really?" He reached under the table and pulled out a bucket of gravel. Then he dumped some gravel in, and shook the jar, causing pieces of gravel to work themselves down into the spaces between the big rocks.

Then he smiled. He asked the group once more: "Is the jar full?" By this time the class on to him. "Probably not", one of them answered. "Good!" he replied.

He reached under the table and brought out a bucket of sand. He started dumping the sand into the jar. It went into all the spaces left between the rocks and the gravel. Once he asked the question: "Is this jar full?"

"No!" the class shouted. Once again he said: "Good!"

Then he took a pitcher of water and began to pour it in, until the jar was filled to the brim. Then he looked up at the class and asked: "What is the point of this illustration?"

One eager beaver raised his hand and said: "The point is: no matter how full your schedule is, if you try really hard, you can always fit some more things into it."

"No", the speaker replied, "That’s not the point. The truth this illustration teaches us is: if you don’t put the big rocks in first, you’ll never get them in at all."

What are the "big rocks" in your life? A project that you want to accomplish? Time with your loved ones? Your faith? Your education? Your finances? A cause? Teaching others?

Remember to put these BIG ROCKS in first, or you’ll never get them in at all!

Each morning, ask yourself this question: "What are the big rocks in my life?" Then, put those in your jar, first!

* * *

God's message to you
Failing does not mean that you’re a failure.
It does mean that you have not yet succeeded.
Failure does not mean that you have accomplished nothing.
It does mean that you have learned something.
Failure does not mean that you have wasted your life.
It does mean that you have a good reason to start over again.
Failure does not mean that you should give up.
It does mean that you should try harder.
Failure does not mean that you will never make it.
It does mean that you need more patience.
Failure does not mean that I have abandoned you.
It does mean that I have a better plan for you.

* * *

What does God look like?
He looks like your husband.
He looks like your wife.
He looks like your son, who wants to borrow the car.
He looks like your daughter, who wants permission to go to the party.
He looks like your mother, who is growing old.
He looks like your father, whom you have not seen, for so long!
He looks like your friend.
He looks like the beggar, tapping on the window of your car.
He looks like your atchay, your chimay, who spilled the coffee on you.
He looks like your houseboy, who wants an advance on his salary.
He looks like the laborer, digging the ditch in the street.
He looks like the one you love.
That is what He will say to you, when you stand, all alone, before that great white throne, to be judged. He will say:
"So long as you have done it
to the least of these,
my little ones -
You have done it to Me!"