A carpenter with many years of experience was nearing the end of his career. He informed his contractor of his intention to retire from the construction business and live a more leisurely life with his wife and family. Although the contractor was disappointed that his excellent and experienced carpenter was leaving the job, he asked the carpenter to build just one more house for him.
The carpenter agreed with the contractor, but his heart was no longer in his work as it once was. For the final house of his career, he resorted to shoddy craftsmanship and subpar materials. It was an unlucky way for him to end his career. When the carpenter finished the house and the employer arrived to inspect it.
He took a look around the house, and just before leaving, he handed the front-door key to the carpenter. “This is my gift to you,” he explained. The carpenter was taken aback by this. Despite the fact that it was supposed to be a pleasant surprise, he was not pleased because he felt a deep sense of shame within him. He would have done everything differently if he had known he was building his own house. Now he had to live in a house that wasn’t very well built.
Moral: Like the carpenter, we build our lives in a distracted manner, reacting rather than acting, and willing to accept less than the best. Give it your all.
Your attitudes and choices today will shape your life tomorrow; construct it wisely.