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My mother-in-law sent me this, and, as I turned a year older (wiser?) yesterday, I appreciated the advice more than usual.
The 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 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 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. “This is your house,” 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 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 realize we have to live in the house we have built.
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 once said. Your attitudes and the choices you make today, build the “house” you live in tomorrow. Build Wisely.
So (and I'm taking my own advice here), get off the computer and go live.
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Happy Birthday, Dear Barbara!! :))
ReplyDeleteThe droning of bees forced me to turn the tv off and go wash dishes...I just could not take listening to that sound.
I, amazingly, have grown used to it. I did read, however, that folks in the stadium risk permanently losing some of their hearing. I just don't get letting folks do it any way. It's already been banned at Yankee Stadium and a few events like Wimbeldon. Thank goodness. My son said people had them in the Columbus Crew stadium at Saturday's game. Hope they ban it there soon!
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday!
ReplyDeleteHello sweet lady! Sending you belated birthday greetings, feeling a bit red faced but wanting to extend anyway. Love the carpenter theory, one day at a time and living in the moment. Thanks for passing it along, printing it off.
ReplyDeleteP.S. And where is that birthday cake blog post? SO (!) inspired by your month's worth of menu! WOW, I have to do that too here. I think I just might get it done too, thanks to you. :)
Thank you, Barb.
ReplyDeleteRenee, no reason to feel red-faced! :-) Thanks for your wishes. You're sweet. I baked the same cake this year as I did last year. I'm boring that way! It was yummy.
Happy belated birthday!
ReplyDeleteWe celebrate my birthday on June 25th! It's really my half-birthday, but there is this other, much more important birthday to be celebrated in December ;). Now the day will be even more special to me!