Live Whole Health #171: Rocks and pebbles

The demonstration begins with a pile of rocks, a pile of pebbles and a jar. The teacher pours the pebbles into the jar, which fills it up about halfway. She then tries to put the rocks in the jar, but they don’t all fit.

The teacher takes everything out and starts again, but this time she puts the rocks in first. Once they’re in the jar, she pours in the pebbles and everyone watches them fill the space between the rocks.

What are your rocks? What are the most important things you need in your life to feel healthy and well? Maybe it’s relationships with your friends and family, or volunteering in your community, or being physically active every day. These are the things connected to your mission, aspiration or purpose—your MAP.

What are your pebbles? What’s important to you but not vital? Maybe it’s mowing the lawn, watching a ballgame or something else you’d like to do but isn’t part of your MAP.

When you look at your daily calendar, are you focusing on your rocks? Or are your pebbles taking up most of the day? Do you find yourself trying to fit in what’s most important around what’s less important?

Consider taking six minutes with Dr. Christiane Wolf in this grounding meditation and reflect on the rocks that make up your mission, aspiration or purpose. Maybe you’ll find a way to build more of your time around what’s most important to you.

There are many ways mindfulness, prioritizing what matters most, and how making small steps can lead to big changes in your overall health and well-being. Check out these brief educational resources or explore more short videos to learn more about the positive impacts of VA’s Whole Health approach.