A Carpenter

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 pay cheque, 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 favour.   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, 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 realise 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!
Work as if you don't need the money.
Learn as if you will live forever.
Love as if you've never been hurt.
Dance as if nobody is watching.


Pass this on to someone you like.   I did!)