the happiest holiday wishes are…

Like most people, I’m taking time off these two weeks to relax and spend time with my family.

I just wanted to take a moment, however, to wish you and your family, a happy and healthy holiday.

I’ll leave you with a little story and then we’ll talk again next week:

The story comes from my friend Christian Godefroy.  If you like it and you want more warm stories like it, go and check out his website at http://www.positive-club.com/

I like this story because it reminds me of a lesson I once learned about how life is happening every moment — right now!  And that there are no “dress rehearsals,” so you’d better get to the getting to, as fast as possible.

Anyway, this story is called “The Carpenter’s Mistake” and it goes like this…

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 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 had built none too well.

And so it is with us. We build our lives in a distracted way, re-acting rather than acting, willing to put up less than the best.  At important points we do not give the job our best efforts.

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.  And your life is 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.”

This is the so true, isn’t it?

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.

So choose wisely.

Happy holidays and warmest wishes, Craig Garber

***

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5 responses to “the happiest holiday wishes are…”

  1. Peter Thomson Avatar

    Brilliant story – I’m going to steal it and use it – so often!!

    Craig

    have a fabulous holiday and here’s to a ****sparkling**** 2010 and beyond

    Peter

    1. Craig Garber Avatar

      Thanks Peter… best to you and Sharon

  2. Edwin Soler Avatar

    Graig,
    As always BRILLIANT!!! These words come at such a crucial time in my life. I happen to teach Sunday school to the high school age group. I ALWAYS talk to them about their future but get very sad at how they live their lives not realizing the challanges ahead. What makes it sadder is that the adults set such a bad example. This story has lifted my spirits up greatly as it gives me an analogy that reminds me that I also need to focus on my life and try to set a better example.

    You see Craig, one thing I can say that we have in common is that we try to teach people how to build “that home”. What they do with it is up to them. In the end, they will never be able to say “no one told me”.

    Enjoy your Christmas with your lovely family. Tell Casey to keep on “truckin”. His story really inspires me. Looking forward to 2010 and joining your Maverick Group as well. God bless you.

    1. Craig Garber Avatar

      thanks Edwin… and best to you and yours as well.

  3. Pablo Mateo Avatar
    Pablo Mateo

    I knew this story but in your words it gets a special bright.

    Thank you for remember such a simple true:
    LIFE IS A DO-IT YOURSELF PROJECT.

    Even if this is not a self-help space/blog, your story became a fantastic way to end this year and, even better, to start the new year!

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