A museum, well-known for its marble sculptures, attracted large admiring crowds. A brilliantly sculpted statue of a lady was one of the masterpieces that adorned the resplendent hall.
One night, the marble tile, on which the lady stood, complained, "It is not fair! We both originated from the same cave and yet people walk over me and admire you for hours. Why am I a stepping stone and you a masterpiece?"
The marble lady replied calmly, "Remember the day the sculptor tried to work on you with his chisel and the fuss you created, discouraging him to work any further? But when he chose me instead, I allowed him to complete what he had started. It was painful no doubt, but even you would agree that the end result was worth it!"
From then on the marble tile took pride in being a stepping stone and never complained again.
How strong is your resistance to life's effort in shaping you?
Do you allow life to sculpt you to become what you are actually capable of being?
If not, why not?
~Taken from "How full is your cup?: 64 stories that can transform the way you look at life" by J M Sampath~
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Build Wisely
There lived an elderly carpenter. One day he thought to himself, "It is time I retired and enjoyed a life of leisure."
When the employer learnt of his wish to retire, he was indeed sorry to let go of one of his best workers. However, he said, "Build just one last house for me, this will entirely be your baby. Consider it a personal favour!"
The carpenter reluctantly agreed. But it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work.
He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior material, thereby saving some money for himself.
When the house was ready, the employer came to inspect it...
The very next day, a grand farewell was arranged in the new house and handing over the door key to the carpenter, the employer proudly declared, "This is your home! A token of appreciation for your dedicated service."
The carpenter was shocked!
What a shame! Had he only known he was building his own house!
Do you have multiple standards...One for yourself and another for others?
What stops you from giving your best to everything you do?
~Taken from "How full is your cup?: 64 stories that can transform the way you look at life" by J M Sampath~
When the employer learnt of his wish to retire, he was indeed sorry to let go of one of his best workers. However, he said, "Build just one last house for me, this will entirely be your baby. Consider it a personal favour!"
The carpenter reluctantly agreed. But it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work.
He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior material, thereby saving some money for himself.
When the house was ready, the employer came to inspect it...
The very next day, a grand farewell was arranged in the new house and handing over the door key to the carpenter, the employer proudly declared, "This is your home! A token of appreciation for your dedicated service."
The carpenter was shocked!
What a shame! Had he only known he was building his own house!
Do you have multiple standards...One for yourself and another for others?
What stops you from giving your best to everything you do?
~Taken from "How full is your cup?: 64 stories that can transform the way you look at life" by J M Sampath~
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Destiny in a Tossed Coin
The Japanese General Nabunaga decided to attack even though he had only one soldier to the enemy's ten. He was sure he would win but his soldiers were full of fear.
On the way to the battlefield they stopped at a Shinto shrine. Nabunaga said to his army, "I shall now toss a coin. If it is heads, we shall win. If tails, we lose. Destiny will now reveal itself." He tossed the coin. It was heads.
The soldiers were so keyed up for the fight that they wiped out the enemy. Next day an aide said to Nabunaga, "No one can change destiny."
"Right," replied the General, showing him a coin that had heads on both sides.
How much do you believe in yourself?
Who decides your destiny?
~Taken from "How full is your cup?: 64 stories that can transform the way you look at life" by J M Sampath~
On the way to the battlefield they stopped at a Shinto shrine. Nabunaga said to his army, "I shall now toss a coin. If it is heads, we shall win. If tails, we lose. Destiny will now reveal itself." He tossed the coin. It was heads.
The soldiers were so keyed up for the fight that they wiped out the enemy. Next day an aide said to Nabunaga, "No one can change destiny."
"Right," replied the General, showing him a coin that had heads on both sides.
How much do you believe in yourself?
Who decides your destiny?
~Taken from "How full is your cup?: 64 stories that can transform the way you look at life" by J M Sampath~
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