Learnings

This is a lovely email which my boss sent us all as part of sharing his knowledge and wisdom with us all in the company. I thought it shall be useful for anyone reading it...

A decision without action is no more powerful than indecision or no decision. Decisions without action are preparations for living without living. We need to act to experience life. We either make things happen or let things happen to us. Edward Rickenbacker describes a six-word formula for success ~ “Think things through, then follow through." 

 

Once a decision is made, it is time for action. Theodore Roosevelt said, "In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing." After all, if we do the wrong thing, at least we can learn something from our mistake. But inaction teaches us nothing, other than regret. 

Our decisions are the clay we use to make bricks. And our actions are the bricks we use to create ourselves. Here’s a story that will help you understand the point ; "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 him if he would 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 a dedicated career. 

When the carpenter finished his work the employer came to inspect the house. He handed the front-door key to the carpenter. "This is your house," he said, "my gift to you." 

 

The carpenter was shocked ! What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently.” 

So it is with us. We build our lives, a day at a time, sometines putting less than our best into the building. Then with a shock we realize we have to live in the house we have built. If we could do it over, we'd do it much differently. But we cannot go back. 

"A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song." 

We, too, are birds that have a song. Our song can be melodious, sweet, and jubilant or screechy, savage, and vapid. It all depends on our actions, for they are the notes of our song.