BS: Philosophy:101

Subject: BS: Philosophy:101
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 06 Aug 03 - 03:06 PM

A philosophy professor stands in front of his class and fills a mayonnaise jar with rocks that are about 2" in diameter.
The professor asks the class if the jar is full...they agree that it is.

The professor then takes a handful of pebbles and adds them to the jar, shaking it so the pebbles fill the cracks and asks if the jar is full and again the class agrees.

The professor produces a small bag of sand and proceeds to add it to the jar, shaking it so it fill the cracks and asks the class if the jar is full and for the third time they agreed it is.

"Now"...the professor says..."I want you to use this jar full of sediment as a way of looking at your life...the rocks represent the things that are most important to you, your family, your partner and your health... things that are the cornerstones of your life."

"The pebbles represent things like your money, your job or your dwelling,things that are important, but can be replaced."

"The sand represents the small things in your life, for instance, what you wear, who you are seen with or where you eat."

"You'll find, if you put the sand in the jar first, you won't have enough room for not only the pebbles, but most importantly the rocks."

"The same thing goes for your life, if you spend too much time and energy on the small issues, you focus less on the things that really matter."

"Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness, play with your children, take your spouse out on a date and find time for that medical checkup, in essences, set your priorities...
you must take care of the rocks first, then let the pebbles and sand fill your jar."

As the professor finishes, he receives a standing ovation for his presentation, but through the crowd, comes a pupil from the back of the room wearing a backpack.

He goes to front of the class, takes a bottle of beer out, opens it and pours it into the professor's jar.

The student asks the professor..."would you say the jar now full?"

The stunned professor could only watch as the student answered his own question..."then we must conclude, that no mater how full your life is...there's always room for beer!"

Subject: RE: BS: Philosophy:101
From: greg stephens
Date: 06 Aug 03 - 03:13 PM

Hear hear Nigel. See you up the Greyhound.

Subject: RE: BS: Philosophy:101
From: smallpiper
Date: 06 Aug 03 - 03:20 PM

excellent!

Subject: RE: BS: Philosophy:101
From: greg stephens
Date: 06 Aug 03 - 03:22 PM

Two Brit responses so far Nigel. I am waiting for an American to read your posting, who will offer to pray to help you to address your problem.

Subject: RE: BS: Philosophy:101
From: Don Firth
Date: 06 Aug 03 - 03:31 PM

Okay, Nigel. Consider yourself prayed for.

Beautiful!! I love it!!

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: Philosophy:101
From: Mark Clark
Date: 06 Aug 03 - 03:47 PM

I always like this every time I see it. Thanks.

      - Mark

Subject: RE: BS: Philosophy:101
From: catspaw49
Date: 06 Aug 03 - 04:04 PM

LOL Mark.....and the first time anyone told it to me was about 1967 and I have this odd feeling it wasn't new then! Still a good piece....

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Philosophy:101
From: Bill D
Date: 06 Aug 03 - 04:31 PM

it is very nice...and funny...and thought provoking..."but it ain't 'philosophy'", he said firmly. "Folk Wisdom" is more like it

There goes the silly pedant, splitting hairs again. Please, don't anyone ask him about 'folk music' *grin*

Now, my father used to confound us boys when we were 7-8 with the question, "If you were carrying all the feathers you could carry, could you carry one more?"....similar theme, with no punch line.

Subject: RE: BS: Philosophy:101
From: Sorcha
Date: 06 Aug 03 - 04:31 PM

I had not seen it before! Thanks! (Would there still be room for some dog hairs on top of the beer????)

Subject: RE: BS: Philosophy:101
From: catspaw49
Date: 06 Aug 03 - 05:22 PM

Yeah Bill, it's a similar theme, but where's the beer?

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Philosophy:101
From: SINSULL
Date: 06 Aug 03 - 09:20 PM

I'd have used Pepsi - my addiction. Pray for me.

Subject: RE: BS: Philosophy:101
From: Bill D
Date: 06 Aug 03 - 10:10 PM

We Pepsi drinkers need no prayers, my lady...we are already part of the Divine plan!

(wouldn't waste a beer on that Prof, 'spaw.............well...maybe if he used Budweiser...)