How do you focus on what is important in life...?

Question

when what's gone wrong keeps dragging you down?

Answer 1

Ok, here is a great parable that kind of put it into perspective for me.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full.

They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full.

They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full.

The students responded with a unanimous “yes.”

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand.


The students laughed.

”Now,” said the professor as the laughter subsided, “I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.

The golf balls are the important things—your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions—and if everything else was lost and only they remained; your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter; like your job, your house and 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 golf balls. The same goes for 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 time to get medical checkups.
Take your spouse out to dinner.
Play another 18.


There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal.

Take care of the golf balls first—the things that really matter—Set your priorities. “The rest is just sand.”

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.

The professor smiled.

”I’m glad you asked.”

”It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem; there’s always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend”

Answer 2

I know what you mean, I used to be totally focused on my career. But life has a way of showing you what is REALLY important, your loved ones are what we should all focus on. Without them life would be so empty.

Answer 3

If I let what has gone wrong get me down I would not be able to stand up. and some times I am not standing up. have to take a little break once in awhile. but not for too long or things get by you.

Answer 4

i tend to go out for a long walk a think everything throught and eventually i realise it wasnt worth it or meant to be and move on to my next adventure. Sometimes the walk isnt always the answer and that is when i turn and ask for help of my friends who can usually make me see light at the end of my dark tunnel.

Answer 5

I know whats important, my purpose. I know what it is and I am fighting to get there, nothing can stop meh. Oh trust me, a lot of things go wrong but i dont let that get me down. :P
-Ryko

Answer 6

By keeping the faith and believing that a Higher Power is working behind th scenes for my highest good...

Answer 7

At the moment am feeling very down, my brother died yesterday (44) so focusing is hard for me

Answer 8

Whats done is done and there is nothing you can do to change it, best thing to do is to keep yourself focused on what lies ahead and forget about the past.

Answer 9

just focus on the good things in my life, my wife to be and family

Answer 10

by also focusing on whats going right in your life. that bit of sun thats peeaking out thru the stormy clouds!