the parable of the glass jar -.doc

The Parable of the Glass Jar One day at school a teacher began his class by placing a large glass jar on the lab bench in the front of the classroom and announced that "This is the jar of life, and today we will be filling it." After the obligatory moaning had ceased, the teacher reached behind the lab bench and brought out a tray of softball sized rocks. He carefully placed one rock in the jar, then another, then a third, and then a fourth. When he tried to add a fifth rock, there was not enough room, so he removed it. He asked the class if the jar was full. Without hesitation, there was a resounding "YES". The teacher reached behind the lab bench again, and brought out a tray of golf ball sized stones. He added a few to the jar. Gently shook the jar and was able to fita few more. Once again, he had reached the top of the jar and asked if the jar was full now. Once again, the class responded in the affirmative. Again, the teacher reached behind the lab bench, and this time brought out a tray with pea sized stones. He added a handful, shook the jar gently, added another handful, shook the jar, added another and shook, until no more pea sized stones could fit. He asked the class if the jar was full now. The response was slow and not a very convincing "I guess so". The teacher reached behind the lab bench again, and brought out a plastic pail and a plastic shovel. He began adding