Life is a do-it-yourself project
Life is a do-it-yourself projectAn elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer 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 employer 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 his career.
When the carpenter finished his work and the employer came to inspect the house and 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 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, 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." Who could say it more clearly? Your life tomorrow will be the result of your attitudes and the choices you make today. Good article. 呵呵，我的英语还有待长进！好好努力 I have read this story before!So profoundly~ This story tell us, attitude is very important! We should work for ourself. Thank you!雨花石,you did a good job!The article is very impressive. It really has an effect on me although i've read it before which is Chinese edition. Thank you. i'll get on well with the do-it -yourself project. 有个老木匠准备退休，他告诉老板，说要离开建筑行业，回家与妻子儿女享受天伦之乐。 老板舍不得他的好工人走，问他是否能帮忙再建一座房子，老木匠说可以。但是大家后来都看得出来，他的心已不在工作上，他用的是软料，出的是粗活。房子建好的时候，老板把大门的钥匙递给他。 "这是你的房子，"他说，"我送给你的礼物。" 他震惊得目瞪口呆，羞愧得无地自容。如果他早知道是在给自己建房子，他怎么会这样呢？现在他得住在一幢粗制滥造的房子里！
我们又何尝不是这样。我们漫不经心地"建造"自己的生活，不是积极行动，而是消极应付，凡事不肯精益求精，在关键时刻不能尽最大努力。等我们惊觉自己的处境，早已深困在自己建造的"房子"里了。把你当成那个木匠吧，想想你的房子，每天你敲进去一颗钉，加上去一块板，或者竖起一面墙，用你的智慧好好建造吧！你的生活是你一生唯一的创造，不能抹平重建，即使只有一天可活，那一天也要活得优美、高贵，墙上的铭牌上写着："生活是自己创造的。" agree！work for yourself 如果这房子不是给他的呢？而是他的老板想最后剥削一次他的劳动力呢？好好建一座房子会花费更多的时间，而这样会拖后他的退休时间，他的心情能好过吗？如果是你你还能安心去做吗？ 引用第8楼weldo于2010-03-09 17:12发表的:
如果这房子不是给他的呢？而是他的老板想最后剥削一次他的劳动力呢？好好建一座房子会花费更多的时间，而这样会拖后他的退休时间，他的心情能好过吗？如果是你你还能安心去做吗？
说说我的个人愚见~
前提是他已经答应他老板啊!既然答应了，就算房子不是给他，也应该好好做！如果他像你这样想的话，就不应该答应.这是职业道德，也是做人的道理!
