Julie R. White, PhD
Dean of
Student Affairs

This is a story I ran across many years ago and it seems fitting to start the new year with this kind of mindset!  While the author is unknown, he or she surely was wise…

“Life is a Do-It-Yourself Project”

An elderly carpenter was ready to retire.  He told him employer-contractor of his plans to leave the house building business and live a more leisurely life with his wife enjoying his extended family.  He would miss the paycheck, but he needed to retire.  They could get by. 

The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor.  The carpenter said yes, but in time it was easy to see his heart was not in his work.  He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials.  It was an unfortunate way to end his career.

When the carpenter finished his work and the builder came to inspect the house, the contractor handed the front door key to the carpenter.  “This is your house,” he said, “my gift to you.”

What a shock!  What a shame!  If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently.  Now he had to live in the home he had built none too well.

And so it is with us.  We build our lives in distracted ways, reacting rather than acting, willing to put up with less than the best.  At important points, we are forced to really examine situations that we ourselves have created and with which we now have to live.  As we begin this new year, think of yourself as the carpenter.  Think about your house.  Each day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall.  Build wisely.  This is the only life you will build.  Live graciously and with dignity. 

Dr. Julie R. White
Dean of Student Affairs