“Life can only be understood backward, but it must be lived forward.” -Soren Kierkegaard

An analogy I came up with a few months ago was that, life can be compared to math.

In the beginning we learn our numbers. We learn 1 to 10, then 10 to 100, then the multiples of 100 and so on. Then we learn how to put numbers together. We learn addition, subtraction, multiplaction and division. Then we learn fractions, decimals, trig functions, angles, algebra and eventually calculus. There is an order and if we decide that we want to skip a certain lesson, then the next chapter becomes difficult to understand which causes us to become overwhelmed. There is a reason we have to learn and understand the concepts of the lesson being taught at the moment or else we will not be prepared for the lessons ahead nor would they make any sense. In order to assess our understanding of the materials we have learned we are given tests and quizzes along the way so that we are given an opportunity to put into practice what we’ve learned. These tests are designed to show you how much you have learned and what you may need to work on to do better in the future.

This is how life is. We are faced with situations everyday, what we must understand is that they are building blocks to our character. We have our ups and downs but our experiences are meant to teach us a lesson so that we can face tomorrow’s problems with much more strength and understanding. When the situation gets tough, we can’t expect to skip through them. We must understand that there is a reason for everything. Don’t be surprised if you are tested over and over again throughout life with hardships. Our experiences are meant to better our understanding of ourselves and the situations around us.

We must look back at our past so that we can learn from our mistakes but we must not dwell there too long for we must move forward armed with the experiences we have had.

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Rocks, Pebbles, Sand and a Jar

A philosophy professor stood before his class with some items on the table in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks, about 2″ in diameter. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He then asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous “Yes.”

“Now,” said the professor, “I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The rocks are the important things – your family, your partner, your health, your children — things that if everything else were lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter – like your job, your house, your car. The sand is everything else. The small stuff.”

“If you put the sand into the jar first,” he continued “there is no room for the pebbles or the rocks. The same goes for your life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take your partner out dancing. There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, give a dinner party and fix the disposal. Take care of the rocks first – the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.”

Great story with a beautiful lesson. From this story let us learn that we must learn to prioritize our lives around what is most important to us. Take this time to evaluate your life and figure out the ‘rocks’ in your lives. Should some of your rocks be pebbles instead? Is it time we changed our habits and became more constructive? Is there a type of change you are willing to undergo for the greater good?

Ask yourself, “What are my priorities?”

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