ARTICLE - The Carpenter's House
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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 his
career.
When the carpenter finished his work and the builder came to
inspect the house, the contractor handed the front-door key to
the carpenter. "This is your house," he said, "my gift to you."
What a shock! What a shame! If he had only known he was
building his own house, he would have done it all so differently.
Now he had to live in the home he had built none too well.
So it is with us. We build our lives in a distracted way,
reacting rather than acting, willing to put up less than the
best. At important points we do not give the job our best effort.
Then with a shock we look at the situation we have created and
find that we are now living in the house we have built. If we had
realized that we would have done it differently.
Think of yourself as the carpenter. Think about your house. Each
day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall. Build
wisely. It is the only life you will ever build. Even if you live
it for only one day more, that day deserves to be lived
graciously and with dignity. The plaque on the wall says, "Life
is a do-it-yourself project." Your life tomorrow will be the
result of your attitudes and the choices you make today.
From India, Srinagar
4--------------------------------------------------------
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 his
career.
When the carpenter finished his work and the builder came to
inspect the house, the contractor handed the front-door key to
the carpenter. "This is your house," he said, "my gift to you."
What a shock! What a shame! If he had only known he was
building his own house, he would have done it all so differently.
Now he had to live in the home he had built none too well.
So it is with us. We build our lives in a distracted way,
reacting rather than acting, willing to put up less than the
best. At important points we do not give the job our best effort.
Then with a shock we look at the situation we have created and
find that we are now living in the house we have built. If we had
realized that we would have done it differently.
Think of yourself as the carpenter. Think about your house. Each
day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall. Build
wisely. It is the only life you will ever build. Even if you live
it for only one day more, that day deserves to be lived
graciously and with dignity. The plaque on the wall says, "Life
is a do-it-yourself project." Your life tomorrow will be the
result of your attitudes and the choices you make today.
From India, Srinagar
AWESOME .. N SOOO VERY SWEET OF U .. FOR SHARING A BEAUTIFUL THOUGHT .. I LOVED IT. LOVE MILI
From India, New Delhi
From India, New Delhi
Hey Kiran,
Good one! :D
Truly, an eye opener........!
We get so engrossed with certain issues that we miss out on other aspects. We tend to get carried away and mess up.
I think being a people's person, every one of us needs to pause and analyse our intentions and efforts that we put at our workplace from time to time - To improve, to create and to 'enjoy' being amongst people - 'our' people!
Will try to make my 'home' count!
Regards,
Lily
Good one! :D
Truly, an eye opener........!
We get so engrossed with certain issues that we miss out on other aspects. We tend to get carried away and mess up.
I think being a people's person, every one of us needs to pause and analyse our intentions and efforts that we put at our workplace from time to time - To improve, to create and to 'enjoy' being amongst people - 'our' people!
Will try to make my 'home' count!
Regards,
Lily
And your life today is the result of your attitude and the choices you made yesterday. Sunil Chandra piiconsultants.com
From India, Gurgaon
From India, Gurgaon
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