The Carpenter

An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told the contractor he had worked with for nearly 25 years of his plans. He was ready to leave the construction business and live a more leisurely life with his wife enjoying his grandchildren and his favorite pastime. He would miss the paycheck, but he truly wanted to retire. They could get by.

The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go, knowing the quality of his work would be hard to replace. So he asked if the carpenter could build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter reluctantly agreed, 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.

 

Monday Morning Perspective

“Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses, and some don’t turn up at all. “ – Sam Ewing

“Whatever good things we build end up building us.” – Jim Rohn

 

So it is with us.

We can build our lives in a distracted way, reacting rather than acting, willing to put up less than the best. At important points we may not give the job our best effort. Then with a shock we will look at the situation we have created and find that we are now living in the house we have built. If we had only realized, we would certainly 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.”

What could say it more clearly? Your life today is the result of your attitude and choices in the past.

Your life tomorrow will be the result of your attitude and the choices you make today.

Have a wonderful week!

 

Warmest Regards,

Crystal Dyer

 © Crystal Dyer 2012. All rights reserved.

ISSN: 2158-1355