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.

 

-- Steve Goodier