PARADOXICAL

(From a forwarded email)

Let me share with you a story that I use from time to time during my
motivation talks or counselling sessions. It is a story used by many
counselors, depending on the requirements of each case. Here it goes:

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 and to enjoy the company
of his extended family.

Of course, he would miss his 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 that he was building
his won 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.
Life is a do-it-yourself (DIY) project. Your life tomorrow will be the
result of your attitudes and the choices you make today.

posted by Resty Odon  # 10:46 PM