Weekend Contemplation - Life is to be lived

September 20, 2008

An enchanting story about violinist Fritz Kreisler tells how he oncecame across a beautiful instrument he wanted to acquire. When hefinally raised the money for the violin

Good Day Brothers and Sisters,

Its Saturday, 20th September 2008

For the weekend, here's a good guiding thought to live our lives ..

Life is to be lived. No excuses. No reservations. No holding back.

An enchanting story about violinist Fritz Kreisler tells how he oncecame across a beautiful instrument he wanted to acquire. When hefinally raised the money for the violin, he returned to buy it andlearned that it had already been sold to a collector.

He went to the new owner's home in order to try to persuade him tosell the violin. But the collector said it was one of his prizedpossessions and he could not let it go. The disappointed Kreislerturned to leave, but then asked a favor. "May I play the instrumentonce more before it is consigned to silence?"

Permission was granted and the great musician began to play. Theviolin sang out a quality of music so beautiful that the collectorhimself could only listen in wonderment.

"I have no right to keep that to myself,"

he said after the musician finished. "The violin is yours,Mr. Kreisler. Take it into world, and let people hear it."

William Arthur Ward said, "If you believe in prayer, pray; if youbelieve in serving, serve; if you believe in giving, give." For youand I are exquisite violins -- our music is meant to be heard.

I want to live my life that way -- to take it into the world and liveit fully. I'd rather burn out than rust out. I'd rather be used upthan die not having done whatever I could...wherever I would.

I'm not talking about wearing ourselves out on over-activity.

Happiness is never found in excessive busyness.

But it is found in investing our lives in others.

Saying YES when asked for a hand.

Volunteering some time for a worthwhile organization.

Spending an hour with a lonely relative.

In the end, I know that my happiness will not have beenabout by my ability or my inability. It will have been about myavailability. My life is meant to be lived.

-- Steve Goodier

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