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Editor’s Note: If you read one story today, read this one. How many marbles do you have? It sounds like a set-up, a prelude to a punchline about losing one’s marbles. But as you’ll see from this remarkable story below, the marbles measure much more. And you can personally change that which they measure and perhaps, the quality of your life going forward.
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The older I get, the more I enjoy Saturday mornings. Perhaps it’s the quiet solitude that comes with being the first to rise, of maybe it’s the unbounded joy of not having to be at work. Either way, the first few hours of a Saturday morning are most enjoyable.
A few weeks ago, I was shuffling toward the kitchen, with a steaming cup of coffee in one hand and the morning paper in the other. What began as a typical Saturday morning turned into one of those lessons that life seems to hand you from time to time.
Let me tell you about it. I turned the volume up on my radio in order to listen to a Saturday morning talk show. I heard an older sounding chap with a golden voice. You know the kind, he sounded like he should be in the broadcasting business himself.
He was talking about “a thousand marbles” to someone named “Tom”. I was intrigued and sat down to listen to what he had to say. “Well, Tom, it sure sounds like you’re busy with your job. I’m sure they pay you well but it’s a shame you have to be away from home and your family so much. Hard to believe a young fellow should have to work sixty or seventy hours a week to make ends meet. Too bad you missed your daughter’s dance recital. ” He continued, “Let me tell you something Tom, something that has helped me keep a good perspective on my own priorities.” And that’s when he began to explain his theory of a “thousand marbles.”
“You see, I sat down one day and did a little arithmetic. The average person lives about seventy-five years. I know, some live more and some live less, but on average, folks live about seventy-five years.” “Now then, I multiplied 75 times 52 and I came up with 3900 which is the number of Saturdays that the average person has in their entire lifetime.
“Now stick with me Tom, I’m getting to the important part. “It took me until I was fifty-five years old to think about all this in any detail”, he went on, “and by that time I had lived through over twenty-eight hundred Saturdays. “I got to thinking that if I lived to be seventy-five, I only had about a thousand of them left to enjoy. “So I went to a toy store and bought every single marble they had. I ended up having to visit three toy stores to round-up 1000 marbles. “I took them home and put them inside of a large, clear plastic container right here in my workshop next to the radio. Every Saturday since then, I have taken one marble out and thrown it away.
“I found that by watching the marbles diminish, I focused more on the really important things in life. There is nothing like watching your time here on this earth run out to help get your priorities straight. “Now let me tell you one last thing before I sign-off with you and take my lovely wife out for breakfast. This morning, I took the very last marble out of the container. I figure if I make it until next Saturday then God has blessed me with a little extra time to be with my loved ones…… “It was nice to talk to you Tom, I hope you spend more time with your loved ones, and I hope to meet you again someday. Have a good morning!”
You could have heard a pin drop when he finished. Even the show’s moderator didn’t have anything to say for a few moments. I guess he gave us all a lot to think about. I had planned to do some work that morning, then go to the gym. Instead, I went upstairs and woke my wife up with a kiss. “C’mon honey, I’m taking you and the kids to breakfast.” “What brought this on?” she asked with a smile. “Oh, nothing special,” I said. ” It has just been a long time since we spent a Saturday together with the kids. Hey, can we stop at a toy store while we’re out? I need to buy some marbles.”
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How many marbles do you have left? Use the comment section just below to tell us how this story changes your view on the rest of your life… and what you might do differently.
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108 Comments
Pete Peeters
I Guess this explains that the guy “Who has all his marbles” has lots of time to get things in order. I’m stopping off at the toy store soooooon. Pete
14 Jul 2010 02:07 pm
KC IDAHOSA
This is interesting and a good reminder to practically learn to number our days, as the Psalmist put it,so that we may incline our hearts to wisdom.Wisdom is to fear God,and demonstrate love to fellow humans on this life’s journey.
14 Jul 2010 02:07 pm
Jackie
I am going out today to buy some marbles. This story is amazing. A few weeks ago I had an incident and my heart
stopped beating for 8 seconds. In reality, it wasn’t the first time this happened, but this time I was lucky enough to be in the Emergency department of the amazing University Hospita of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, in Canada, and wonderfully taken care of. The next day a pacemaker was put in, and I am now on the mend. Few people understand how I feel when I wake up every morning. I Thank God for letting me come back, for the wake up call and now I was lead to this story. Thank you, and I will be grateful for every moment from this day forward. I am going to buy the marbles today. Thanks again for this amazing story.
Jackie
14 Jul 2010 02:07 pm
VERNA FOELSCH
I AM AT THE AGE WHERE DEATH IS REAL TO ME. THAT I WON’T ALWAYS BE HERE. AS I READ THE STORY IT MAKES SENSE AND THEN I REMEMBERED. I JUST HAD MY 74th BIRTHDAY JULY 4th THIS YEAR. I MAY ONLY HAVE A YEAR OR LESS. EVEN THO I KNOW I WON’T ALWAYS BE HERE ON EARTH, THIS STORY MADE IT MORE REAL. LIFE IS SHORT AND WE DO SPEND IT ON MANY THINGS THAT AREN’T SO IMPORTANT. MY GOAL NOW IS TO ENJOY THE TIME I HAVE LEFT BEING WITH OTHERS AND TREASURING THE REST OF LIFE MORE THAN EVER. WHAT A WONDERFUL WAY TO LOOK AT OUR MORTALITY.
14 Jul 2010 03:07 pm
Hellen
The story has definitely got me thinking! I am already 51 so I have even less marbles!!!!
14 Jul 2010 03:07 pm
Julie Ege
Very inspiring. Just what I needed to hear today.
14 Jul 2010 03:07 pm
annivar
I think the marble theory is wonderful but I have worked with people and families with disabilities for more than 25 years now and I got this perspective from one of the mothers I have come to know. Her son was born with cerebral palsy and at the time of his birth they could not tell her how long he might live. So from that moment on she started counting the number important events in his life they might be allowed to share. For example, how many birthdays, how many mother’s days, how many christmas’s, etc. In the example of the marbles, if you live to an average age of 75, then you only have 75 of each of these. In those terms, you can see how much more precious time together becomes. Look at your parents and think about how many of life’s celebrations you might have left and then start counting down from the number you arrived at. Of course none of us really knows what that number will be but if we think of it in terms of not years or months or weeks or even days, but as opportunities to spend time together and celebrate happy occasions then we will cherish them even more. My parents are long gone and I know that I could have spent more time with them then I did. My mother-in-law just turned 80 and I figure she might have 10 more birthdays, 10 more easters, ten more christmas’s. If someone told you that you were only going to make ten more dollars over the rest of your life, imagine how much care you would take to ensure that you spent it wisely. Don’t squander the time you have left with those you love. The countdown began at each of our births and zero hour lies just ahead. Live like it is your last day, laugh like you mean it and love like the first time, every time.
Annivar Salgado
14 Jul 2010 03:07 pm
Connie McGhee
I have 402 Saturdays left and after breakfast with a friend I am going out looking for marbles!
14 Jul 2010 03:07 pm
Char
i had an experience similiar to this a few years ago when i decided to take early retirement; the thought that occured to me, “Life’s too short…”, came after i had a mild stroke, and was told by my doctor to take it easy. all this happened in the late summer to early fall of 2001; yes, it was the same year as the 9/11 attacks in New York/Pennsalvania/Washington, D.C., which also served to help clear my focus even more, but i have yet to regret my decision.
14 Jul 2010 03:07 pm
zheng
Wow! that is a article fantastic! an awakening call for whose who are lost in directions in life..
Marvelous inspirational thoughts. Let’s get connected to our inner self and do something that is fulfilling and meaningful in life.
14 Jul 2010 03:07 pm
kim
What a coincidence that just 2 weeks ago I reunited with my ex-boyfriend name Tom hoping to rekindle our love but then I found out that he has been working on call seven days a week since we broke up 5 years ago, and still have 2 more years before he finish his contract. I thought to myself noway this time I’m not going to wait for him but to settle down with my life with someone who loves and committed to me. And by reading this story I have no doubt or regret that I have made the right decision.
Thank you very much for enlightened my life.
14 Jul 2010 03:07 pm
John McAdoo
I TURN 71 ON thursday the 15th I donot know how many I have left,but I am thankful for family and friends,and my Christian Brothers and Sisters,and my dear wife.but most of all I am thankful for a man who died on a cross for men 2 thousand years ago.thank you Lord Jesus for saving me.John
14 Jul 2010 03:07 pm
John McAdoo
I TURN 71 ON thursday the 15th I donot know how many I have left,but I am thankful for family and friends,and my Christian Brothers and Sisters,and my dear wife.but most of all I am thankful for a man who died on a cross for me 2 thousand years ago.thank you Lord Jesus for saving me.John
14 Jul 2010 03:07 pm
Tonna Caldwell
That is by far the most profound thing I have ever read. I will be going to buy some marbles immediately!
14 Jul 2010 04:07 pm
nilesh
its good with this message u have tried to create awareness among the people who r sleeping till today.thank u
14 Jul 2010 04:07 pm
Dawn
Thank you for your regular insights…loved this one lots today xxxx
14 Jul 2010 04:07 pm
Jacki
Most touching story, and to think we all use to do just these things, until somehow our lives got to filled up with stuff; Please take five minutes and really look at your schedules for today, what one thing can you give up or put off for awhile while you consider, who you can help today, or put a smile on the widows face down the street.
God made us all just like him, and we need to show more love,kindness,patience,forgiveness, and just find out who needs a little help today.
May the lord always be with you all. blessings
14 Jul 2010 04:07 pm
Suzie
Great Story – thanks for sharing – Really puts a whole new perspective on things.
14 Jul 2010 04:07 pm
Jan C
I’m 70, so it makes sense. Take time to smell the Roses along the way. My grandmother always said to me “can’t never did anything, but lay down & die”. I’ve always tried to live by that. So if you do things for others also, & pray about it, God will see you through whatever you need.
14 Jul 2010 04:07 pm
MICHELLE
THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL STORY ! MY FATHER IS 74 YEARS OLD AND THIS MAKES ME REALIZE I NEED TO SPEND MORE SATURDAYS WITH HIM BEFORE HE REACHES HIS LAST MARBLE
14 Jul 2010 04:07 pm
Stella
BOY!! What a story. Sure makes one ponder life in a new ‘light’. I am already thanking God for my ‘extra time’. I have raised a family of six children but wish I had this information years ago. Life goes so quickly by if we aren’t careful we miss the ‘good stuff’! However, having said that, we did have some really good family fun and I am still close to my kids.
14 Jul 2010 04:07 pm
Rosa Allaway
I am 41, and am already counting my marbles. After losing my mother, life is short because the 41 years i spent with her, only seemed like the blink of an eye. i wish god would have given me more time with her but i have come to realize that no matter how much more time he would have given me with her it still wouldn”t have been enough. My mother was 81 when god took her. But actually the doctors had been telling me that she only had months left since she was 73, so god did let me have her for 8 more years, the only thing is, is i spend those 8 years focusing on her health, looking for ways to make her live longer and be confortable not on the person she was. so for the past 8 years all we talked about was medicines and doctors that when she passed away i realized there were so many other things i wanted to talk or know about her.
14 Jul 2010 05:07 pm
Robin
Never have I tried to put life as in marbles but as I read, I find that it is true…indeed our life is like a marble – once thrown, it is gone forever. That’s why we should learn (which I know is not easy) to have better self-control everyday better than the day before. Control our speech by speaking only good things look forward to only good things and work on doing good things. Difficult isn’t it?? Well we have nothing to loose as our marbles are like time, it will be lost forever… so why not put it to good use??? Readers, bless others anywhere you can, even yourself as God has made you a blessing
14 Jul 2010 05:07 pm
Carolyn
Beautiful visual lesson. As a 13 year cancer survivor I have learned to make every day count for a kindness day. To myself and to others. Today I will play my violin with a quartet in a lovely garden as part of 5 gardens on display for our local Garden Walk. Music is soothing and I feel we will bring added happiness to what God has provided, with the gifts He has given us.
14 Jul 2010 05:07 pm
Carolyn
o.k.
14 Jul 2010 05:07 pm
Jane
The story is perfect and I don’t have a comment about it nut it reminded me of showing some love to my grandson through marbles. I had some marbles I either bought from antique stores,garage sale, digging in my flower beds and turned some up (previous and only owner before us had a son and I believe during his youth he buried or lost them)just a variety of places. I put them into a blue ball jar that someone had turned into a lamp. It’s a pretty little lamp. When my grandson was little we didn’t spend a lot of time with him like we did his sister. He was the rowdy kid and we did not enjoy his company. One day he admired my marbles and I told him he could have them when I’m done with them. I think you know what I meant by that. He has been in trouble a few times and when he had to move back to his home state to live with his mother she ask me if I had a spare lamp for his room. I thought about it for a minute then said yes I do. I went ahead and gave him the lamp, ,marbles and all. He has never said anything about it and I saw the lamp being used in a different room. I have ask the mom to please take care that he won’t get rid of it. She said it will be alright. Right now it may seem like a silly lamp for a grown man to use but one day it will be a precious memory to him. Yes I’m concerned he may move and take it and misplace it to which I would rather have it back but it is his. I hope he can hang on to it and realize the love I have for him through these lamp. I sure wanted the marbles but wanted him to know how I felt about him before I was gone. He is 23 now and I’m sure he doesn’t give those marbles much thought but I’m glad it’s his! He will love it some day.
14 Jul 2010 05:07 pm
mavis
thank you for this thought provoking story, it made me think about how I spend my day. I wished he had kept the marbles and
put one back in for each wonderful Saturday that Our Loving God
gave him over what he expected. God bless you & your family.
mehpensacola,fl
14 Jul 2010 05:07 pm
deloras
I am 64 years old. I am always running here and there helping others without taking the time to help and love myself. Life is the most precious gift from G-d and I need to stop and thank him for my blessings and to encourage others to do the same. Today I will stop and smell the roses and tell my loved ones how very special and important they are to me, and tell myself the same. If I can help somebody along this path than my living will not be in vain.
May G-D in his infinite GLORY hold us all in his bountiful arms.
Peace and Shalom
14 Jul 2010 05:07 pm
LOU
LOVE THE MOMENT AND THE ENERGY OF THAT MOMENT WILL SPREAD BEJOND ALL BOUNDARIES
14 Jul 2010 05:07 pm
Bryan
Wow! Is there anything left to say? We all at some point in our lives take what God has given us for granted! For some it’s family, for some it’s themselves. We all have something, but for me it has been the gifts that God has blessed me with. There are so many people who could benefit from my God-given gifts, but I let them waste away because of my financial issues. I will begin to live life and more fully, but please pray that will bless my family and I in the process! Thank you Jesus and please forgive me for that I have done that was not of you!
14 Jul 2010 06:07 pm
Marj B
Make each day your masterpiece. Trust, pray and give the glory to G~
14 Jul 2010 06:07 pm
Nancy
Wow…..this is truely a wake up call to alot of people in this world, i enjoyed it very much. In a way, its kinda scary though, not knowing when you might be takeing out your last marble?…….I have always said…that life is short as it is, so thats why i think its important to never stay angry at your love one, nor go to bed being angry:( You see i have a Beautiful Daughter and Son-in-law and 2 Grandsons, that are estranged from me, and let me tell anyone that may read this….this is a constant pain, that is always eating at me, and i pray each day and night, that they will accept me back in there life:( It really hurts bad, and all i can do is sit and wait and pray, that before my marbles run out?….that i will have the chance to hold them, hug them, and let them know how much i love them:( so please never take life for granted, love your family, like it might be your last day with them. I sure would give anything to have my Daughter back in my life:( Sincerly…Nancy Culver,
14 Jul 2010 06:07 pm
Cassandra
OMG!!!! I’ve been trying to find a way to assist my mom with realizing everything outside of family is material.IT can be replaced. We’ll after reading this story I will print a copy and share it with her. Yes, we spend so much time focusing on other things then what we really need to focus on and that is precious time with our family and friends. Thank you so much!!! You’ve answered my prayers.
May God continue to bless you!!!
14 Jul 2010 06:07 pm
Belete Asress
Thank you and God may bless you as you serve Him.
14 Jul 2010 06:07 pm
Mina
This was an amazing story, reminding me of how we waste our lives trying to prepare ourselves for the life… While all we have to do is to dive in it and live… I don’t know how many marbles I’ve lost and how many I’ve left, But I’m surely a blessed one for getting the email…
14 Jul 2010 06:07 pm
Bob Mac Donald
I had a similar expierence with a tape measure instead of marbles !
A dear friend and myself were visiting a mutual friend of both of us . Us being both woodworkers , our mutual friend asked us how long we expected to live !
We both said hopefully eighty . He then said take out your tape measures . Run it out and put your finger on eighty inches . He then said how old are you now and we were both about sixty . He said O.K. , put your other finger on sixty .
Now look at the tape and the distance from sixty to eighty , compared to the distance from zero to sixty , time allready gone !!
I have never forgot the reality of that exercise !!
14 Jul 2010 06:07 pm
Elyn
I have lost a lot of marbles in my life so if i have a chance i will get it from a toys store this morning.
14 Jul 2010 07:07 pm
Paul
I got 807 marbles left thru then (75yrs)that is. Must see about utilizing them wisely. Thank you very much for this rude awakening. Appreciate someone out there concerned about the gifts of GOD. Blessings to you.
14 Jul 2010 08:07 pm
nett
I am 50 now and this story awakened my senses. everyday, im always troubled on the limited number of hours of work i had..i should have used my spare time then with my kids and enjoy life with them instead of grudging over my unhappiness towards my work situation. I should be thankful that I have one..thanks for the story..it truly blessed me..
14 Jul 2010 08:07 pm
welsie lopez
LIFE IS SHORT. I WON’T WASTE IT WITH HAVING ANGER, HATE, ENVY, JEALOUSY AND GREED IN MY HEART.
14 Jul 2010 09:07 pm
Jackie O : )
This story gives you positive hope and a reality check. Life is what you make of it so be sure to get your marbles in order and count them one by one!!! Have a happy life and be blessed.
14 Jul 2010 09:07 pm
Clare Kaczkowski
I will not be surprised if there is a global shortage of marbles!
What a wonderful ‘story’ or rather philosophy and while I am pretty much a ‘glass half full’ person – this story has given me a much clearer focus on what needs to happen next!
Thank you so very much – god bless you
Clare aged 58
14 Jul 2010 10:07 pm
Darrell
I’ve heard this story a few times and it impacts me every time. We can design whatever life we want to live and we have to take responsibility for how we prioritize our life. Easier said than done at time but we must do it to live a fuller life.
14 Jul 2010 10:07 pm
Fred
After readind this story one must stop and truly smell the roses. God gives us one life time and even though we think its forever its only a blink of an eye.I suggest we all should just hold out our hand Iam sure someone will hold it. May God walk with all of us. God bless.
15 Jul 2010 12:07 am
Lovena
This is very inspiring. I am challenged to live my life to the fullest, not making excuses, not regretting just being exactly what God wants me to be.
15 Jul 2010 01:07 am
Grace
I’m having surgery on 7/20/10 and have been fighting bad thoughts since the diagnosis of uterine cancer two weeks ago. This article reminds me that after (not if, but after) I survive surgery(I’m pretty high risk), as I have these last two weeks, I’m recommitting my life to remembering what is important. Enough with the 60-70 hour work weeks – time to focus on a better work-life balance.
Grace Age 51
15 Jul 2010 02:07 am
devarajan
my dear , just what the doctor ordered [the doctor is no other than our dear GOD , the SUPREME] for all us dear mortals who have to unconciously count our days in this mortal world. so let us live like there is no tomorrow and do all the good deeds not today , but NOW, for the next minute may be too late and we would not have done our good deed for the society. regards devarajan
15 Jul 2010 02:07 am
Merced Abelardo
a mind and heart awakening story indeed…
I have always been conscious of the important things in my life but the busy world always get in the way and I am not able to really focus on it… I think it is about time I have to refocus so as not to experience another bitterness and regret of not having been able to hug and kiss my father and say to him personally how much I love him and how much I appreciate everything from him…
this story makes me realized fully to value and make the best of each day with all the people I love…
God bless to all…
15 Jul 2010 03:07 am
Kim
Terrific idea especially if it helps one stay aware of time and to use it to live lives to the fullest. I was surprised to read KC from Idahosa state “wisdom is to fear God” God is pure love for each of us, his children created in his image and is a part of us and all living matter. God does not want us to fear Him but to love him and all his children. When you send love out to people and the universe you get back love from peope and the universe. Allowing our ego to keep us fear based than the Ego is successful and keeping us fear based and being fear based thus keeps us seperated from our Father and his love for me and all his children and that to me is what is fearful.If there is anything to be fearful of it is the power of the ego as it keeps us afraid and seperated from a loving, non judgemental Father God.
Blessing to all of you
15 Jul 2010 04:07 am
khawla ossama
everyday is a new day, thts why we should know how to live our life to the fullest.
15 Jul 2010 04:07 am
lori
Great idea and a way to stay in awareness
15 Jul 2010 04:07 am
amitabha
The story jolts any sensetive reader and brings in the correct perspective on life. Life itself is a great blessing and we need to harness it positively. When we are to priotise life requirements, I sense relationship is probably the most important thing. This is the core lesson for me. Hencefoth, I would try to follow this – let God be my constant companion in my endeavour.
My personal experience is that if we give love, compassion and kindness and to life, it returns you the same in double quantity.
15 Jul 2010 04:07 am
Prakash Mehta
It’s wake up call for me.!I do spend my week end with my family(Wife)but some time ignore also and never realise that I should enjoy and utilise my week end
fully dedicated to my wife-family freinds.I am 63 years of age and I know with me only 624 marbles are left.I will utilize these left marbles fully to fulfill my oblgations towards family,friends and to reach out for needy people.
Prakash Mehta
15 Jul 2010 04:07 am
Regina
What can I say? Just so well written, so well said. I can identify with every thing written, the saturday mornings, the work load, the time running away….its amazing how people can get into your thoughts and service it to work the right way! Thank you all for this story! Enjoyed it and like it said, passed it on to my dear friends!
15 Jul 2010 05:07 am
flor
WORTH READING AND INSPIRING… REMINDS ME OF MANY LESSONS FOR THE DAY… GIVES ME HOPE… AND CHALLENGES ME TO BE GOD’S CHANNEL OF KINDNESS EVERYDAY…
15 Jul 2010 05:07 am
Yashwant Upadhyay
I am from India and only 75 now and do not know how many more marbles are in store for me. True to what is expressed in the mail is in everybody’s life. We all are selfish and never look to the marble jar or carpenters’ measure tape. What has our parents, close relatives, friends and children have given or giving, are never to be compared. What you have received, enjoy instead regret for not receiving. What good you can do to others, please continue doing. None of your services are ever to be with any expectation for return. God is great and takes good care of all. Marble message is excellant & thought provoking. Please release more marble messages. God bless all.
15 Jul 2010 05:07 am
Grace D. Litao
So touching…and it reflects my life.
In my heart and mind I always yearn seeing myself with my family…in the church…having fun dining out…an out-of-town trip and sharing matters concerning each other’s life in the living room.
Today, I will send this kindness to all of my friends..
15 Jul 2010 06:07 am
Prakash SJ
I am taking my family out for an nice breakfast now
thanks and timely reminder
god bless you
15 Jul 2010 06:07 am
aarti
yes, i know we have very short lives to do so many things. I am 41 yrs. old but i have a spastic boy who is 18 yrs. old. He needs me every minute. His learing capacity is very slow, and i know it will take 300-400 yrs to teach him his daily activities. Now tell me , how many marbles do I collect so that something fruitful is done for him ?????????????????????????
15 Jul 2010 07:07 am
Sue
What a beautiful story !
In todays competative world all of us forget to take time out for our loved ones … be it grand parents, parents, siblings , children, or friends.
We really miss out on the Joy that is there, lying on a plate, for us to take but we are pre occupied and do not have the time to enjoy the God given gift.
Every one of us has some excuse or the other not to go that extra mile, and the max we do is call or send a Sorry card or a Greeting card as the situation requires.
Yes this is the Eye Opner! Wake up and start with doing something special at least once or twice a month with the family.I will definitely change my attitude towards life !
15 Jul 2010 07:07 am
Sue
What a beautiful story !
In todays competative world all of us forget to take time out for our loved ones … be it grand parents, parents, siblings , children, or friends.
We really miss out on the Joy that is there, lying on a plate, for us to take but we are pre occupied and do not have the time to enjoy the God given gift.
Every one of us has some excuse or the other not to go that extra mile, and the max we do is call or send a Sorry card or a Greeting card as the situation requires.
Yes this is the Eye Opner! Wake up and start with doing something special at least once or twice a month with the family.I will definitely change my attitude towards life !
15 Jul 2010 07:07 am
jolly
Wonderful message
15 Jul 2010 07:07 am
Jaikumar.D
This is great. This story tells us not to take time and life for granted.
“There is only one life, only what is done for Christ will last”.
So lets live a life worthy of His calling.
15 Jul 2010 09:07 am
Bhupinder Chowdhri
This was indeed great food for thought.God bless you for circulating this great piece.You have done a great deed today
15 Jul 2010 09:07 am
lakshmi jebar
Life is short.we care for mundane things rather than good relationships.we have to prioritise our personal fulfilment and relate every thing to our near and dearpeople and their ambitions
15 Jul 2010 11:07 am
Mirjana
I am 58 years old and I don’t know how many marbles I have left, but I do know that I need at least about 250-300 more to fulfill what I need to do. As my two boys were growing up, I spent every spare moment with them, not only Saturdays. I drove them to school, from school, to sports, to hobby classes, to cinema, to parties …..
My younger son loved fishing ever since he was a little boy, so it was mostly me (his mum)who went fishing with him, sometimes early in the mornings, sometimes we went night fishing and sometimes all four of us went fishing on a weekend. He loved fishing so much that he made a career out of it, he even had his fishing show on TV. Then tragedy happened and my dear son passed away at the age 31. Needless to say, my life is shattered and very sad, but I could not imagine what it would be like if I didn’t go fishing with him, if I didn’t do all the things I did and spend my time with the ones I love most. If you read this, please think about it and make every marble count, don’t leave it for next week, for next month, for when you can afford it, for when is warmer weather ….. Just make every moment count.
Mirjana
15 Jul 2010 11:07 am
ella
Who knows a person can even reach 75yrs old??? I myself even only thinking i’m thankful if i’l die at the age of 50…but it brought me tears reading…as i am 33 but still i dont have a family i can call of my own, but i hope in my remaining days i can make a big mark of spreading my love to everyone. family should come first than the career…god bless.
15 Jul 2010 11:07 am
kat
July 15, 2010 @ 7:50 am
This should open up your eyes, it did mine. Too many times, I put off saying things to people that mean a lot to me. I don’t make the final effort to just take off and drive the three hours needed to get to their homes, and enjoy sitting at their table just talking, or listening to them tell me about their troubles. Soon, one may be gone and I will have missed her company. That weighs heavy on my mind and heart. One is 94 and the other is 78. I will call them this Saturday and listen to them
15 Jul 2010 11:07 am
Terry
We rairly think about our time we have left. So much of our thoughts revolve around our past and present. I am deciding to open up a ballroom dance buisness before I get to old (I’m 56) These remaining life time capsils will remind me of the time I have to enjoy this persuit. Thanks for the visual.
15 Jul 2010 12:07 pm
Shirley Daniel
A very commendable story ans it lets you know your age ( if you have forgotten) and also how much more time you have left.
A very interesting article.
15 Jul 2010 12:07 pm
Wylene McAlister
Great story! Like the way you used the marbles in this story. Time pasted, you can’t recall, but it’s what we do now that matters. It’s time spent with family and friends that’s treasured. Time is valuable and those memories that we have left when one member passes is all we have.
15 Jul 2010 04:07 pm
Jose Morales
This is a remembering that you must live every saturday (I would say every day) as if was the last one in your life. Some day it will be.
15 Jul 2010 04:07 pm
Dianne Clemons
Rocks, Pebbles and Sand
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.
He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The students laughed. The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up 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, your children – anything that is so important to you that if it were lost, you would be nearly destroyed.
“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, there is no room for the pebbles or 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 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.”
15 Jul 2010 05:07 pm
GloriaE Lopez
I really enjoyed reading the article and i will be sending it to my friends,
I have many friends who really need to read this.. Thank you for sharing it with me.
Gloria E. López
Puerto Rico
15 Jul 2010 06:07 pm
Carmen Gutierrez
Great Story, it touched my heart, I alway go around saying that there is not enough hours in the day to finish what I need to do, this changed as I read this powerful story. Life is so short and Every day is a day that God has planned for us. I am 61 yr old with alot of pain in my life but God has always pulled me through with prayer, loved ones, and positive people. God is so Good….
Carmen Gutierrez/ Albuquerque, NM
15 Jul 2010 06:07 pm
mark
Human hourglass……..pretty smart and happy guy
15 Jul 2010 07:07 pm
va’a/ Tufuga.
Lovely story, I Do like the way you use the marbles Tom, it wakes me up to thingk whats nex step before marbles(time)runout. I love the story.
15 Jul 2010 08:07 pm
Rina Portillo
I will utilize these marbles fully to fulfill my obligations towards family,friends.
Thank you for story!!!enjoyed it
15 Jul 2010 11:07 pm
INDRA
I AM 57YRS OLD AND I DO NOT KNOW HOW MUCH MARBLES IS LEFT FOR ME BUT EVERY TIME I CAN SHARE WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY I TRY TO DO MY BEST .
15 Jul 2010 11:07 pm
Tadess
Everyday is special. Give thanks, make it worth in the eyes of God for the blessings we got.Life is precious.
16 Jul 2010 12:07 am
Bill
I may have heard this story before, but this time I will respond to it. I Am 62 years old, and I have been working Saturdays most of my life up until now. I have been thinking about changing jobs to spend more time with my family. Now I will, no matter what. It is never to late to start spending more time with my family.
16 Jul 2010 12:07 am
Lynn Weed
This was a great read and much appreciated. The marble jar is a great idea, however we need to keep in mind not only for our selves, but for our loved ones that no one knows what tomorrow might bring. So many scrimp and save for retirement only to have their love ones become sick or die early. Buy the marbles and thank God for every one you can throw away. You can buy possessions for your loved one to enjoy, but you can’t buy health, yours or theirs. The only meaningful gift to give in this life is your time, your love and your ability to bring happiness to all by giving the best you can give,never asking for anything in return. It will all come back to you in your own happiness. God Bless and a long life of happiness to all of you. Thanks for the article
16 Jul 2010 02:07 am
JULIANA
It is wonderfull, so that so that we can learn ,TO SEE FOR OR FAMILY, AND THat GOD BLESS us every day of or live.GOD BLESSALL OF YOU.THANKS.
16 Jul 2010 02:07 am
Mehdi
It is just the real, we wake up only when we lose one love ones,get sad and sorry but what is the interest. I had a jewel uncle. He always said “make the most of A MOMENT ” and do something for kindness to your love ones.He died at 54 and I can do nothing.
16 Jul 2010 08:07 am
roy
thanks a lot for the sharing
God bless
16 Jul 2010 08:07 am
REBECA
i’m still sixteen so reading this story has opened my eyes to many different things like not worrying what other’s think of me and to spend more quality time with my family i used to always get into fights with my sister and older brother but now i’ll think twice before i do so again..thanks for an inspiring story
16 Jul 2010 06:07 pm
Shanmugam Mudaliar
Simply fantastic. Instead of marbles the present generation counts the no. of pizza, movies, partners, clothes , watches etc. We dont even know the days leave alone saturdays. Counting marbles will most probably keep Alzeihimers away.
16 Jul 2010 10:07 pm
jerin
Thanks 4 making me realise the value of each day
16 Jul 2010 11:07 pm
Vickie
The females from my mothers side die young. My grandmother at 57, my mother at 61. I will very soon be 53. I figure I have 364 marbles left. I will continue to pray for my children to return to the Christ and Lord they accepted as their Saviour in what seems like so many moons ago. Life is precious. God says he knew us even before we were in our mothers womb. He knows how many hairs are on our heads. I will just continue to try to reach as many people and souls for Gods kindom as I can. I plan to be the sower so God can reap.
17 Jul 2010 05:07 am
Helen
Wow that is a powerful story, I had only heard it once before, as a 70yr. old My marbles are getting low. I hope it opens the eyes of many who read it, how important it is to be there with your family as they grow up. Times are hard now and maybe some are spending more time at home. Try to think of it as a Blessing of spending more Saturdays with the family. Making lemon aide our of lemons in life. I hope everyone gets a job that allows them to be there on Saturday with the family. At my age we all wish for more time with loved ones, sometimes it is not possible and that is sad.
17 Jul 2010 10:07 am
Dominic
It is a great strory. I feel I am too young to count marbles. My view point is little different. I prefer to count what I receive in my day to day life , instead of what I lose. WE never know what is there next, and we do not need to worry about what we do not know. But we all know what we recieved in our life, we can keep one marble for one blessing in our life, may be we will find it difficult to have a container that can contain them all.
17 Jul 2010 03:07 pm
Toney
I appreciate the message, it’s inpiring. I’ll henceforth have quality time with my love ones (family)….You are blessed
17 Jul 2010 07:07 pm
Abe
It is interesting to note that so many people enjoy GODS Holy Sabbath [Saterday ]and feel its special touch.
It is so sad to think that so many people have been deceived into beleiving that the 7th day Sabbath [saterday] has been moved to the 1st day Sunday.
Interesting story as to how people can use simple storys to touch other HEARTS.
GOD BLESS
17 Jul 2010 09:07 pm
Harace Minniefield Jr.
This is a wake up call for everybody who reads this article. What I learn from it is don’t waste your life being involved in vanity. Get your house in order and live your life to the fullest with God and with your family because after all thats why God wrote the Ten Commandments for us to keep them and if we keep the Commandments we shall have long life.
18 Jul 2010 12:07 pm
Debra Rincon Lopez
Your so right, I have just began to realize this last year. I have wasted far too much time on dumb things that aren’t really that important. I try and make sure that I spend quality time with my children. They are all grown but when I do get the chance I talk all that I can with them. I share my life & their lives also.I won’t regret anything in the future.If I keep up the things I am doing now?
18 Jul 2010 06:07 pm
Sundar
All expressions carry the same message … compassion for fellow humans. Mankind’s unsatiated greed for material has butchered the core value system, markedly in the last 3 decades or so. Economic progress has perhaps resulted in perceived comforts but emotional wealth creation for children has been recklessly abandoned by working parents. The children of this generation unfortunatley face the prospect of the parents finding ‘quality time’ to meetup with their offsprings. Does qualitytime become nonquality at the end of the designated time? I wonder if there can be anything but purity of attention, at all times, when parents spend time with their children. There can never be an adjective to the time parents and children are together. It has to remain unqualified, as in the times of yore.
Caught in a maze of running behind something which we are not quite capable of finding, all of us face the threat of suddenly having with us unused marbles, or perhaps not knowing we have marbles at all. This world has evolved to be a huge science labaratory where inventions, ironically carry destruction at their other end. Peace has gone to pieces. People have no faith in each other. Countries fight with neighbours to become superpowers. Ruthlessness is the order of the day. The portals of education do not anymore inculcate moral values in its pupils. Commerce has won over common sense. Might is right, is the modern day truth.
Let us begin identifying the marbles around us .. in every sphere … in the brightness of a new day, the freshness of everything that surrounds us, in the eyes and face of people who we live and work with, in the works that we do, in the roles that we play ….. Marbles, are best played and parted …
18 Jul 2010 07:07 pm
amanda
Dear Aarti. i hear the pain in your voice as you talk of your son, and the anguish that you have not taught him enough and he is not learning as fast as you need him to before your marble jar is empty. let me ask you this, how much has he taught you? patience? laughter? slowing down? seeing miracles in just the little things?. I work with people with dementia, other people say why? what a waste of time. I say Who says?. It doesnt matter that they cant do their activites of daily living. They contribute in different ways. They have taught me compassion, understanding, to laugh at the absurb, to love without return. dont look at what your son cant do. look at what he can and take a quiet breath and say to yourself “well done”. God bless, amanda
19 Jul 2010 06:07 am
Aijo Francis
awesome thought.. Good to have a rethinking process on our daily routine of the recurring and non-productive part of our life..
19 Jul 2010 08:07 pm
Quraish H Sethwala
grate motivating story I hope I would be able to kill my ego and spend some quality time with my darling
20 Jul 2010 08:07 am
Ana B.
We’re here at school and the worse feeling to have when Graduation Day will come is to be left with the impression that we haven’t learnt enough or nothing at all! The impression of waste at that moment could be the heaviest pain of our short lives on earth. In other words, the marbles’ story tells us to live like there is only one left marble in that container everyday of our life!
About Saturdays and to finish here because time doesn’t wait for anybody, here’s a question for you to testify by yourself for the rest of your lives. Did you realize that every Saturday, the sun will show itself even if it’s only with a shy or quick ray?
I have lived in 3 countries up to now and I started to verify this in all my Saturdays and I use to say “There’s no Saturdays without sun!”. The thing is that you might have to wake up very early sometimes because it might show itself very quickly in the first hours of the day only…
PS:I read the other comments only after I finished mine and they are many, but all interesting (as I was expecting with such a motivating story). Jose Morales said what I thought after my reading. Abe might be close about that Saturday thing and Amanda was very kind to answer with her heart to Aarti. I loved Sundar’s profound comment too…
From a citizen of this World.
26 Jul 2010 03:07 pm
Robin
How true but then it is also very “normal and true” that most of us don’t realise that our marbles are diminishing (that is if we already know that we have those marbles to start with), and it’s diminishing fast. We spend heaps of our time focusing on the search for that daily “pot of gold”. That seems to be more important and it is a fact that this out weighted and is placed as more important thing in life rather that to know “the really important things in life”. Sad but true! The truth I find in this story is …How does one know and submit to the fact that we are here temporal and start taking charge of our life the way that God has designed for us?
04 Aug 2010 12:08 am
Terrie
I have told my friends,family and co workers all my knowing life that you can make a million dollars a second but there isn’t enough money in the world that will buy that time back.
07 Aug 2010 02:08 pm
ugg boots
This is a good,common sense article.Very helpful to one who is just finding the resouces about this part.It will certainly help educate me.
02 Sep 2010 06:09 am
Tumo Sunday
It’s really a wise crack. I feel like I read it when I was 20. Now that I am about the same age as the writer, 55, God must be precious to me. I appreciate Him. He has been my rock, my pillar, my support and I believe I do not need to fear the rest of my life.
Good read. Bless you as you count your marbles. They are worth counting. Don’t you think so?
06 Sep 2010 06:09 pm
carolyn
I am pushing 64.In 2005 I almost died with multiple bloot clots in both lungs and both legs.I was almost dead when my husband got me to the hospital.Thank GOD for placing a doctor that new the symptoms.I spent seven days in the hospital flat of back.I could not lift my legs or wiggle my toes.God was not ready for me yet!.Each day is precious to me.Everyone should count those marbles. CAROLYN
06 Sep 2010 07:09 pm
Bonnie
What a wonderful idea – I want to be totally and happily WORN OUT by the time I get to the end of my marbles!!
What a amazing world we would live in if only everyone – EVERYWHERE – counted marbles!!!
07 Sep 2010 05:09 am
Hilda
Thanks so much and may the good Lord bless you abundantly. This piece has changed my perspective about life and I have seen how important to share quality time with your loved ones. I’m going to be available for my family and loved ones. God bless you again.
07 Sep 2010 08:09 am
Sue
In 1996 my dad turned 76 he had beginning Alzheimers. He lived 130 miles away he was determined to build his dream house in the middle of the desert in Arizona. I took him to the VA to have him evaluated to try to get him into a group home which I knew he would like better than living with me and my 14 yr.old daughter. He loved talking to the “guys” at the Senior center he went to every week. Well after the consultation as we walked back to the car he said, “What do you think? I’ve lost my marbles?” Reading this story it all makes sense now, he did die alone, about 5 months later. I was going to visit on my weekend off that week, but his neighbors found him on Friday. My sister had died 4 months before and his heart was broken. They’re together now so I’ll start counting mine as my health isn’t the best I think I’ll buy 50 on Jan. 7th that was his birthday and every New Year I’ll buy 50 more! Thanks for the great story, God Bless.
29 Dec 2010 04:12 am