Is your jar ok?

I am glad I stopped by Troc, Broc and Recup's Blog yesterday, for there was a very timely reminder for establishing life priorites.   This is her story about a jar of stone's and a jar of sand.  Floss is also doing 'a pause for Advent', with various bloggers participating.  I need to get my act into gear.  Hence this story.  
You may have heard of this parable before, as I had, but I think we all need reminding from time to time.

 A philosophy professor stood before his class and had some items in front of him. When class began, wordlessly he picked up a large empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks, rocks about 2" in diameter.

He then asked the students if the jar was 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. The students laughed.

The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled everything else. "Now," said the professor, "I want you to recognize that this is your life." "The rocks are the important things - your family, your partner, your health - anything that is so important to you that if were lost, you would be nearly destroyed. 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, there is no room for the pebbles, and the rocks. The same goes for your life. If you spend all your energy and time 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 wife 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."

In lieu of the fact that I think my jar has been quite gritty lately, and for personal reasons, I have decided not to attend the Christmas event at 'the market' this year.   I am disappointed, but the time just isn't right at the moment, however I am looking forward to going as a customer, and stall-holder rallier!  I realised that I am not a mass producing sewing robot, I am a one woman show with a family to care for, and this season has been busier than I anticipated.  After one year of doing this, I hopefully will be armed with experience and renewed energy for the next lot of markets in the new year.  
I know it's going to be a great time, anyone in Hobart on the 13th of December, MUST bookmark this market, it will knock your socks off - there is some serious talent in Tasmania!   
I would sincerely like to thank all my lovely customers who have 'looked' for me at these markets, and bought from me.  If there is anything you need, please let me know, as I able to take credit card payments over the phone, you don't need to purchase through Etsy alone.    

I have some new and exciting products and concepts for 2010, and I can't wait to share them with you.