An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his
employer-contractor of his plans to leave the house-building business
and live a more leisurely life with his wife enjoying his extended
family. He would miss the paycheck, but he needed to retire.
They could get by. The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go
and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor. The
carpenter said yes, but in time it was easy to see that his heart
was not in his work.
He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an
unfortunate way to end a dedicated career. When the carpenter finished
his work the employer came to inspect the house. He handed the
front-door key to the carpenter. "This is your house," he
said, "my gift to you." The carpenter was shocked! What a
shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have
done it all so differently.
So it is with us. We build our lives, a day at a time, often putting
less than our best into the building. Then with a shock we realize we
have to live in the house we have built. If we could do it over, we'd do
it much differently. But we cannot go back. You are the carpenter. Each
day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall. "Life is a
do-it-yourself project," someone has said.
Your attitudes and the choices you make today, build the
"house" you live in tomorrow. Build wisely! Remember...
Work like you don't need the money.
Love like you've never been hurt.
Dance like nobody is watching.
Pass this on to someone you like. I did!"
To the world you might be one person, but to one person you might be the
world.
