March 18, 2008

Life is a Do-It-Yourself Project   "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 their 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 unfortunate that this work was 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 a house 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.   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 attitudes and choices you make today."     Author unknown, excerpted from Mach II With Your Hair On Fire by Richard Bliss Brooke.       "At the end of each day, you should play back the tapes of your performance.  The results should either applaud you or prod you."             Jim Rohn   "You are fully responsible for everything you are, everything you have and everything you become."             Brian Tracy   "You are the only one who can use your ability.  It is an awesome responsibility."             Zig Ziglar "My will shall shape the future.  Whether I fail or succeed shall be no man's doing but my own.  I am the force; I can clear any obstacle before me or I can be lost in the maze.  My choice; my responsibility; win or lose, only I hold the key to my destiny."             Elaine Maxwell       No doubt you've heard the expression, "You've made your own bed, now lie in it."  Take yourself back to times when you were told that, both by others and by you.  Now, you might not have liked hearing it, but when you searched deep, you knew it to be true.  You were able to accept responsibility for your actions.  Moreover, you still do. When that happens, and only then, can growth and change occur in your life.  You then build a house you are proud to be living in.   Some people do not want to hear that life is a do-it-yourself project.  They are content reacting to life and become quite comfortable in that position.  They are quick to blame, criticize, shame, make excuses, lie, and judge.  Seldom do they take responsibility for their own actions and their own life.  Their house is shaky.   You can reap the benefits of a house well made or you can suffer the consequences of a shoddy house.  It's up to you; your choice.   Have a fantastic week and build wisely, carpenter.   Stephanie   P.S. It is not too late to sign up for the Canada Cruise August 14-18 sponsored by the Warschaw Learning Institute.  As the guest speaker, I will be sharing insights and wisdom about balance and life.  Please join us.     We grow by "word-of-email" so please feel free to forward this newsletter to anyone whom you think might benefit from and enjoy it. Thanks so much! Contact Us: stephanie@7steps2abalancedlife.com