Building your life

After 30 years of building houses for Ben, a prominent land developer, Sam announced he wanted to retire, buy some land, and build a small home for himself and his wife.

Sam had hoped for a large bonus for all his years of service. Instead, Ben asked him if he would build one more house. He gave Sam plans for a lovely home located on a choice piece of land with a magnificent view. It was for a very important person, Ben said, and he urged Sam to do his best work.

Because Sam was resentful, his heart was not in the project and his work was shoddy. He ignored architectural details and even substituted inferior materials so he could pocket the difference. When the house was finished, there was a big celebration. Ben gave Sam an envelope as a parting gift.

"At last, my bonus," Sam thought.

There was no check in the envelope. Instead, it included a key and a note: "For everything you`ve done -- the house is yours!"

Sam was ashamed and embarrassed. He had not only misjudged Ben, he had betrayed his professionalism by constructing an inferior home, one that turned out to be his own.

Through our daily actions we all build the houses we will ultimately live in. Careless decisions, neglected relationships, lies, and insincerity are the shoddy workmanship and inferior materials of life-building.

Whenever we take shortcuts, we shortchange ourselves. Whenever we put in less than our best and ignore our potential for excellence, we create a future full of creaky floors, leaky roofs, and crumbling foundations.

This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.