Life is Meant to be Lived
Life is to be lived. No excuses. No reservations. No holding back.
An enchanting story about violinist Fritz Kreisler tells how he once came across
a beautiful instrument he wanted to acquire. When he finally raised the money
for the violin, he returned to buy it and learned that it had already been sold
to a collector.
He went to the new owner's home in order to try to persuade him to sell the
violin. But the collector said it was one of his prized possessions and he could
not let it go. The disappointed Kreisler turned to leave, but then asked a favor.
"May I play the instrument once more before it is consigned to silence?"
Permission was granted and the great musician began to play. The violin sang out
a quality of music so beautiful that the collector himself 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 you believe in
serving, serve; if you believe in giving, give." For you and 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 live it fully.
I'd rather burn out than rust out. I'd rather be used up than 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 been about by my ability or
my inability. It will have been about my availability. My life is meant to be
lived.
By Steve Goodier © 2002
Thanks to Life Support System Publishing, Inc. LifeSupport-subscribe@yahoogroups.com