You are going to get sick , so focusing on your health is going to bring you disappointment . You are going to get bored or feel “ down ”, so clinging to fun is not going to help you either . And your possessions are all — every one of them — going to get old or break down or disappear , so attaching to having them will bring you suffering as well .
No , choose to enjoy those things while you have them , and yet don ’ t invest in them . Invest instead in your “ golf balls ” – in your life ’ s truly Important things : * Listening to your children … * Cooking dinner for your parents … * Doing anonymous Good Deeds for your friends … * Smiling at , and saying a nice word or two , to strangers … * Forgiving those who have harmed you .
There will always be time for you to ‘ fulfill obligations ’ and ‘ enjoy life ’. So take care of your life ’ s golf balls first . Care for others whenever you have the chance … and remember that the rest is just sand .”
There was a long pause after he finished , and then one of the students raised her hand and inquired what the tea represented . The professor smiled and said , “ I ’ m glad you asked … The tea reminds us all that no matter how full our lives may seem , there ’ s always room for a cup of tea with a friend .”
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