I recently rediscovered this wonderful and thought-provoking story (original author unknown).
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty glass jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a bag of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. Again, they agreed it was.