Story of a Life
This is one of those days with life lessons and realizations about people and how they really are and how we wanted to perceive them. The only problem is the reality of what they are comes through and the hope they were honorable is thrown out the window as their true nature finally sinks in. It is sad when people take no accountability for their actions instead blaming everyone else hoping the slight of hand takes the spotlight off their actions.
It reminds me of a story my father told me many years ago when I was a young boy just learning about how to live your life and dealing with people you are in contact with in business. Sadly many fathers never shared the story with sons leaving many to Barney Fife their way through life.
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 at 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 built none to well.
So it is with some of us. Many build their lives in a distracted way, reacting rather than acting, willing to put up less than the best. At important points they do not give the job their best effort. Then with a shock they look at the situation they have created and find that they are now living in the house they have built. If they had realized, they possibly 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. Even if you live in it for only one day more, that day deserves to be lived graciously, with dignity, integrity and creativity.
The plaque on the wall says, “Life is a do-it-yourself project.” Who could say it more clearly? Your life today is the result of your attitudes and choices in the past. Your life tomorrow will be the result of your attitudes and the choices you make today.
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