"A teacher 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 cookie jar, put it on a table and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The teacher 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 teacher 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 teacher then took out two cups of water from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively, filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed."

This analogy is relevant to us all as to how we choose to live our life and what are the most important things.

At least for me, the jar represents my life. The golf balls are the important things in my life - Krishna, guru, relationship with devotees, regulated lifestyle. If everything else was lost and only they remained, my life would still be full.

The pebbles are other things, which although being material facilities, can be used in Krishna's service. The sand is everything else - the small stuff.

If you put the sand into the jar first, 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.

If I pay attention to things which will benefit my spiritual life, it is taking care of the golf balls first - the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.

As for the water, well it just goes to show that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room to chant some extra rounds of the Hare Krishna Mantra.