I received this story as an encouragement recently. It made such a profound impact on my views on life and how I should treat it. So profound that I feel that I wouldn't call you FRIEND if I didn't share this with you:
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An elderly carpenter was planning to retire. He told his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the building business and live a more leisurely life with his wife enjoying his extended family. The contractor was sorry to see one of his top and most loyal workers go and asked him if he would build just one more house as a personal favor.
The carpenter agreed, but this 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 living in the situation we are in. We would have looked back and know we would have done things 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.
Rex Barker reminded us that "Life is a do-it-yourself project." Your life tomorrow will be the result of your attitudes and the choices you make today.
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Now, are you going to treat each day and each task a little differently now? I know I am.
The beauty of your success begins with one small direction towards it. In our busy lives, we are constantly fire fighters in our real estate transactions. We dont give our success or long-term plans enough appreciation to do at least one thing towards getting there.
