One day, a sage, standing in front of his many disciples, did the following.
He took a large glass vessel from the shelf and filled it to the brim with rather large stones. Having done this, he placed the vessel on the table and asked the disciples if it was full. Everyone confirmed that it was full.
Then the sage took a box of small pebbles, poured it into a vessel and gently shook it several times. The pebbles rolled into the gaps between the large stones and filled them. After this, he again asked the disciples if the vessel was now full. And they confirmed again - it’s full.
Then the sage took a large box of sand from the table and poured it into the vessel. Sand, of course, filled the last gaps in the vessel.
And finally, he took a second vessel from the shelf, similar to the first, and immediately filled it completely with sand. Then he tried to place one of the large stones there, but it didn’t work out because the sand prevented it.
“Now,” the sage turned to the students, “I would like you to be able to recognize your life in these vessels!” Large stones represent the most important things in life: your family, your loved one, your health, your children - those things that, even if you didn’t have everything else, will always fill it to the very brim with meaning and creativity.
Small pebbles represent less important, but still far from useless things, such as, for example, work, an apartment, a house or family heirlooms. Sand symbolizes the little things in life, the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
If you recklessly fill your vessel with sand first, there will be no room left for any stones. It’s the same in life: if you spend all your energy on trifles and trifles, then there will be no strength left for important things. You will be like a vessel filled to the brim with sand. Therefore, pay your attention only to the most important things, find time for your parents, children and loved ones, and take care of your health. You still have enough time for work, for home, for celebrations and everything else.
Watch your big stones - only they have a price, everything else is just sand.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru