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Building Your Own House
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An elderly carpenter was ready to retire after years of work.
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He told his employer-contractor of his plans
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to leave the house-building business
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to live a more leisurely life with his wife
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and enjoy his extended family.
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He would miss the paycheck each week,
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but he wanted to retire.
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With the money the carpenter had put aside
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during the years he worked for the employer-contractor,
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they could get by.
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The contractor was very sorry to see his good worker go
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and asked if he could possibly build just one more house
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as a personal favor for him.
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The carpenter said yes,
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but over time it was easy to see
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that his heart was not in his work at all.
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He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials.
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You see, it was an unfortunate way to end a dedicated career.
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When the carpenter finished his work,
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his employer came to inspect the house.
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Then he handed the front-door key to the carpenter and said,
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“This is your house...my gift to you.”
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The carpenter was shocked!
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What a shame!
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If he had only known he was building his own house,
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he would have done it all so differently.
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So it is with us.
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We build our lives, a day at a time,
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often putting less than our best into the building.
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Then, with a shock,
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we realize we have to live in the house we have built.
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If we could do it all over again,
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we would do it much differently.
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But you cannot go back.
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You are the carpenter,
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and everyday you hammer a nail,
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place a board, or erect a wall.
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Someone once said,
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“Life is a do-it-yourself project.”
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Your attitude and the choices you make today
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helps to build the “house” you will live in tomorrow.
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Therefore, build wisely!