晨读英语美文 Building Your Own House

Building Your Own House

[00:11.84]An elderly carpenter was ready to retire after years of work.

[00:16.21]He told his employer of his plans

[00:18.37]to leave the house-building business

[00:20.33]to live a more leisurely life with his wife

[00:23.62]and enjoy his extended family.

[00:25.99]He would miss the paycheck each week,

[00:27.95]but he wanted to retire.

[00:30.08]With the money the carpenter had put aside

[00:32.08]during the years he worked for the employer,

[00:34.43]they could get by.

[00:36.02]The employer was very sorry to see his good worker go

[00:38.97]and asked if he could possibly build just one more house

[00:42.00]as a personal favor for him.

[00:44.11]The carpenter said yes,

[00:45.61]but over time it was easy to see

[00:47.53]that his heart was not in his work at all.

[00:50.33]He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials.

[00:54.51]You see, it was an unfortunate way to end a dedicated career.

[00:59.07]When the carpenter finished his work,

[01:01.01]his employer came to inspect the house.

[01:03.56]Then he handed the front-door key to the carpenter and said,

[01:06.63]This is your house...my gift to you.

[01:08.80]The carpenter was shocked!

[01:10.36]What a shame!

[01:11.34]If he had only known he was building his own house,

[01:14.26]he would have done it all so differently.

[01:17.17]So it is with us.

[01:18.58]We build our lives, a day at a time,

[01:20.74]often putting less than our best into the building.

[01:23.52]Then, with a shock,

[01:24.71]we realize we have to live in the house we have built.

[01:28.24]If we could do it all over again,

[01:29.92]we would do it much differently.

[01:31.91]But you cannot go back.

[01:33.67]You are the carpenter,

[01:34.84]and everyday you hammer a nail,

[01:36.80]place a board, or erect a wall.

[01:39.54]Someone once said,

[01:40.75]Life is a do-it-yourself project.

[01:43.23]Your attitude and the choices you make today

[01:45.63]helps to build the house you will live in tomorrow.

[01:49.26]Therefore, build wisely!