This theory is not mine
but I have lived by it for so long
that I can't remember where I first read it.
Imagine a big glass jar.
Put in three or four really big stones
then fill the gaps around the stones
with medium sized pebbles -
you may need to shake the jar
to make sure that all the spaces are used.
Then take a handful of small pebbles
and gradually pour them into the tiny spaces;
you will be surprised how many you fit in.
Don't stop pouring the pebbles
until you are sure that the jar is quite full.
Now imagine that the jar is your life...
and the pebbles are the things that you need to do...
This theory explains why times of transition are hard...
Because you can imagine what happens
when you try and squeeze another really big stone in
or change the huge stone at the bottom of the jar.
I know, I know...
the photograph is not a picture of pebbles in a jar
but at least it is MY photograph.
Taking photographs is one of the things
that has fallen out of my jar
since I started my new job.
I am sure that I will manage to shake the jar
and make some space
by and by.
And then I will take some wonderful photos
of pebbles in glass jars.
but I have lived by it for so long
that I can't remember where I first read it.
Imagine a big glass jar.
Put in three or four really big stones
then fill the gaps around the stones
with medium sized pebbles -
you may need to shake the jar
to make sure that all the spaces are used.
Then take a handful of small pebbles
and gradually pour them into the tiny spaces;
you will be surprised how many you fit in.
Don't stop pouring the pebbles
until you are sure that the jar is quite full.
Now imagine that the jar is your life...
and the pebbles are the things that you need to do...
This theory explains why times of transition are hard...
Because you can imagine what happens
when you try and squeeze another really big stone in
or change the huge stone at the bottom of the jar.
I know, I know...
the photograph is not a picture of pebbles in a jar
but at least it is MY photograph.
Taking photographs is one of the things
that has fallen out of my jar
since I started my new job.
I am sure that I will manage to shake the jar
and make some space
by and by.
And then I will take some wonderful photos
of pebbles in glass jars.
17 comments:
Yes, I myself have pebbles scattering every which way as we enter my husband's busiest season of the year at the "office." I think that if somebody would just hurry up and leave me an inheritance, I'd take the kids and flee to some exotic locale for a big portion of Advent. Some place like, oh, London? Where I could spy on Certain Bloggers and beg Miss M for nanny services?? A gal can dream...
I have pebbles all over my house - in jars, not in jars - and one big one, a rock really, on my new desk. Now, when I look at them I'll be thinking of you. More.
Just as long as there's not GRAVEL in that jar. You know what that does to me...
The story continues...if you take a large jar of sand and pour it into the jar you can fill in all the spaces between ..you will be amazed how much sand you can get in...I have always seen it used as a Christian analogy...how we all have busy lives filled with big stones....things like work and school and family,cooking, cleaning etc etc and the smaller stones...other things like gardening friends ect ect...but we always have time in-between...the sand... and amoung all thoe things that fill our lives we can make time for Jesus...which is what the sand represents....
The short days don't help either - without light, nothing looks as pretty.
I miss taking photos enormously when I don't have the opportunity. Fantasizing about chucking a big pebble or two into the ocean. Preferably somewhere tropical.
No matter how many pebbles you put inside that jar, there will always be room left to pour in some wine
I'm with coffee lady - or maybe you could pour in hot chocolate and then finish it off with whipped cream?
(Can you tell I have skipped breakfast today?)
Thank you for a timely seasonal reminder ...
And once the jar is completely full of pebbles...there is still room for a bit more dirt.
I'm with coffee lady too!
Well what a great theory. Unfortunately my big pebbles are crammed together at the top of the jar at the moment so I'm going to have to pour gravel around them later.
I can totally relate to that Alice! It can apply to me as well and my transition. Thanks!
The pebbles will settle and you will get back to the pictures! :)
Oh my, those are very wise words, words that I need to remember. I'm off to do some deep breathing and fill a jar...
Just not sure what that jar of mine would look like at the moment.
Maybe there would be a flower growing out the top.
hmm... life is a constant jar shake! x
I have just added a large pebble to my jar. This analogy helps me to realise why it is getting harder to keep up with everything else!
Now that's an interesting theory.............(lovely photo by-the-way)................. Am I right in thinking that this means the big heavy pebbles should never be weighed down or smothered by the little pebbles....................? I do like to be made to think................... thankyou Alice!
Goodness, this sums everything up for me at the moment.
Thank you
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