the rest is just sand

Have you heard that story about the psychology professor who teaches his class about priorities? If not, you really should. Basically, he fills a jar with golf balls and asks the class "is it full?" Yes, they say.

Then he fills it with gravel and asks "is it full?" Yes, they say. Then, he fills the jar with sand and asks "s it full?" Yes, they say. Then, he pours a bottle of beer or coffee or something (here is where the story differs) over the top and declares it full.

The lesson? Fill your day with the big, important things and fit in the rest as you go. Don't fill your day with unimportant things (the sand) or the important things (golf balls) won't fit.

Or put another way

I have been thinking about this story a lot lately. I have been filling my day with sand. Sometimes, I get up to gravel, but I have been neglecting my golf balls for some time. I have been focused so much on work, I have neglected many other things. One day, I realized that work is not even a golf ball! Wow. It is necessary, yes, but not the most important thing in my life. Here's my short, planning to grow list.

Golf balls (in no particular order):

• Health
• Family
• Testimony
• Embroidery

Gravel (in no particular order):

• Work 
• Cello 
• Travel

Sand (just as they come to me): 

• social media
• TV
• movies
• almost anything electronic

But at the end of the day, there is always time for a drink with a good friend.