Monday, September 20th, 2004
I’ve been finding it hard to keep my mind focus’ed lately. Even harder to sleep at night. We made a trip to cut the grass at the lake today… it was hard for me even though I felt I had to do it. My dad and I would go down there all summer to keep it cut and clean… it was a lonely trip without the stops at the antique shops and what not…
I woke up cryin’ late at night - when I was very young
I had dreamed my father - had passed away and gone
My world revolved around him - I couldn’t lie there anymore
So I made my way down the mirrowed hall and tapped upon his door.
And I said, “Daddy, I’m so afraid!
How would I go on, with you gone that way?
Don’t wanna cry anymore
So may I stay with you?”
And he said,
“That’s my job, that’s what I do
Everything I do is because of you
To keep you safe with me …
That’s my job, you see.”
Later we barely got along - this teenage boy and he
Most of the fights it seems - were over different dreams
We each held for me …
He wanted knowledge and learning - I wanted to fly out west
“Said I could make it out there - if I just had the fare
I got half, will you loan me the rest?”
And I said, “Daddy, I’m so afraid
Theres no guarentee in the plans I’ve made
And if I should fail, who will pay my way back home?”
And he said,
“That’s my job, that’s what I do
Ev’rything I do is because of you
To keep you safe with me …
That’s my job, you see.”
Every person carves his spot - and fills the hole with life
And I pray someday I might - light as bright as he.
Woke up early one bright fall day - read the tragic news
After all my travels, I settled down - within a mile or two
I make my livin’ with words and rhymes - and all the tragedies
Should go into my head and out instead - as bits of poetry.
But I say, “Daddy I’m so afraid
How will I go on - with you gone this way
How can I come up - with a song to say, “I love you.”
“That’s my job, that’s what I do
Ev’rything I do is because of you
To keep you safe with me …
That’s my job, you see.”
“Ev’rything I do is because of you
To keep you safe with me.”
Wednesday, September 15th, 2004
A philosophy professor stood before his class with some items in front of him. When the class began, without a word he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks, each about 2″ in diameter.
He then asked the students if the jar were full? They agreed that it was.
So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks.
He then asked the students again if the jar were full. They agreed it was.
The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He then asked once more if the jar were full. The students responded with an unanimous — yes.
The professor then produced a bottle of red wine from under the table and proceeded to pour 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 rocks are the important things — your family, your partner, your health, your children — things that if everything else were lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.
“The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, 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 rocks. The same goes for your 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 partner out dancing. There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, give a dinner party and fix the disposal.
“Take care of the rocks 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 wine 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 good bottle of wine.”
