[at-l] What are your rocks?

[AT-L <AT-L@fallingwater.com>]

Came across this little ditty. Don't like to spread other emails, however I
found this relevant to setting priorities on hiking long trails. 

Enjoy!

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One day an expert in time management was speaking to a group of business
students and, to drive home a point, used an illustration those students
will
never forget.  As he stood in front of the group of high powered
overachievers he said, "Okay, time for a quiz."

Then he pulled out a one-gallon, wide mouth mason jar and set it on the
Table in front of him.  Then he produced about a dozen fist-sized rocks and
carefully placed them, one at a time, into the jar.  When the jar was filled
to the top and 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
space between the big rocks.  Then he asked the group once more, "Is the jar
full?" By this time the class was 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 in the jar and it went into all of the spaces left between
the rocks and the gravel.  Once more he asked the question, "Is this jar
full?"

"No!" the class shouted.  Once again he said, "Good."
Then he grabbed a pitcher of water and began to pour it in until the jar was
filled to the brim.  Then he looked at the class and asked, "What is the
point of this illustration?"

One eager student 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
in 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?  Time with your loved ones?  Your
faith, your education, your dreams?  A worthy cause?  Teaching or mentoring
others? Remember to put these BIG ROCKS in first or you'll never get them in
at all.

So, tonight, or in the morning, when you are reflecting on this short story,
ask yourself this question: What are the 'big rocks' in my life?
Then, put those in your jar first.

Author Unknown
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Ron "Fallingwater" Moak
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Fallingwater Journals - www.fallingwater.com
Pacific Crest Trail Assoc. - www.pcta.org
American Long Distance Hikers Association - West -
www.gorp.com/nonprof/aldhaw

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