Saturday, March 19, 2005
When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life in such a manner that when you die the world cries and you rejoice.
A painting in an ancient temple depicts a king forging a chain from his crown, and nearby, another scene shows a slave converting his chain into a crown. Underneath the painting is this inscription: "Life is what one makes it, no matter of what it is made."
You may have been given certain "ingredients," just as a baker may find the staples of flour, sugar, and oil in his kitchen, but what you create from the talents and genetic propensities given you is... up to you! Live your life so that it might be measured according to these words of an anonymous poet:
Not - How did he die? But - How did he live?
Not - Where did he gain? But - What did he give?
These are the units to measure the worth
Of a man as a man, regardless of birth.
Not - What was his station? But - Had he a heart?
And - How did he play his God-given part?
Was he ever ready with a word of good cheer,
To bring back a smile, to banish a tear?
Not - What was his shrine? Nor - What was his creed?
But - Had he befriended those really in need?
Not - What did the sketch in the newspaper say?
But - How many were sorry when he passed away?
The memory of the righteous will be a blessing...
Proverbs 10:7 NIV
A painting in an ancient temple depicts a king forging a chain from his crown, and nearby, another scene shows a slave converting his chain into a crown. Underneath the painting is this inscription: "Life is what one makes it, no matter of what it is made."
You may have been given certain "ingredients," just as a baker may find the staples of flour, sugar, and oil in his kitchen, but what you create from the talents and genetic propensities given you is... up to you! Live your life so that it might be measured according to these words of an anonymous poet:
Not - How did he die? But - How did he live?
Not - Where did he gain? But - What did he give?
These are the units to measure the worth
Of a man as a man, regardless of birth.
Not - What was his station? But - Had he a heart?
And - How did he play his God-given part?
Was he ever ready with a word of good cheer,
To bring back a smile, to banish a tear?
Not - What was his shrine? Nor - What was his creed?
But - Had he befriended those really in need?
Not - What did the sketch in the newspaper say?
But - How many were sorry when he passed away?
The memory of the righteous will be a blessing...
Proverbs 10:7 NIV