Rocks and Diamonds ?

()()()()()()()Pressure Creates Diamonds ()()()()()Thousands of years of tremendous amounts of is needed to create a diamond, the world's most precious gem. How does this relate to martial artists and our goals? Isn't it true most of us avoid a pressure situation and hard work, yet isn't working hard and facing up to a pressure situation exactly what we need to succeed and become that diamonds? This week lets confront our fears and pressures that face us. This week lets welcome pressure situations knowing that it's needed to become a treasured gem.
()()()()()The Big Rocks ()()()()()One day an expert on time management was speaking to a group of business students, and to drive home a point, used an illustration those students will never forget. After I share it with you, you'll never forget it either. As this man stood in front of a group of high-powered overachievers, he said, "Okay, time for a quiz." Then he pulled out a one-gallon wide-mouthed mason jar and set it on a table in front of him. Then he produced about a dozen fist-sized rocks and carefully placed them, one by one, into the jar. When the jar was filled to the top, and no more rocks would fit inside, he asked, "is this jar full?" Everyone in the class said, "Yes." Then he said, "Really?" He reached under the table and pulled out a bucket of gravel. Then he dumped some gravel in and shook the jar, causing pieces of gravel to work themselves down into the spaces between the big rocks. Then he smiled and asked the group once more, "is the jar full?". By this time the class was onto him. "Probably not", one of the answered. "Good!" he replied. And he reached under the table again and brought out a bucket of sand. He started poring the sand in and it went into all the spaces left between the rocks and the gravel. Once more he asked the question, "Is this jar full?" "No!" the class shouted. Once again, he said, "Good!" Then he took a pitcher of water and began to pour it in until the jar was filled to the brim. Then he looked up at the class and asked, "What is the point of this illustration?" One eager beaver raised his hand and said, "The point is, no matter how full your schedule is, if you try really hard, you can always fit some more things into it!" "NO" the speaker replied, "that's not the point. The truth this illustration teaches us is: If you don't put the big rock in first, you'll never get them in at all". The title of this story is the "Big Rocks of Life" What are the big rocks in your life? Creating time to practice? Your form? Your sparring? Teaching or mentoring others? Remember to put these BIG ROCKS in first or you'll never get them in at all? So, tonight or in the morning when you are reflecting on the day and (this story I hope), ask yourself this question: "What are the Big Rocks in my life?