A Law Of Successful Living
I am impressed by an incident that happened during Ignacy
Paderewski's (November 18, 1860 - June 29, 1941) career. The famous
Polish pianist agreed to play a concert organized by two Stanford
University students working their way through school. Paderewski's
manager said they would have to guarantee the artist a fee of $2,000.
The boys agreed and eventually the concert was held.
Though the two student promoters worked hard, they took in only
$1,600. Discouraged, they told Paderewski of their efforts and handed
him the $1,600 with a note promising to pay him the balance of $400.
But the artist tore up the note and gave them back the $1,600. "Take
your expenses out of this," he said, "give yourselves each 10% of
what's left for your work, and let me have the rest."
Years later, Paderewski was faced with feeding the people of his
war-ravaged Poland. Amazingly, even before a request was made,
thousands of tons of food were sent to Poland by the United States.
Paderewski later traveled to Paris to thank Herbert Hoover, who
headed up the US relief effort. "That's all right, Mr. Paderewski,"
said Hoover, "I knew that the need was great. And besides, though you
may not remember it, I was one of two college students whom you
generously helped when I was in need."
The story illustrates a law of successful living: sooner or later we
will reap what we sow. Paderewski reaped a harvest of kindness he had
sown years before. Those who sow love will eventually reap love.
Those who sow goodness will reap even more. Those who sow fear and
mistrust will reap an unwanted harvest later.
It's a basic law of successful living. And powerful enough to change
a life.
~ Steve Goodier ~
[ by: Steve Goodier Copyright © 2008 (LifeSupport@yahoogroups.com) -- {used with permission} ]
Inspirational Messages
SkyWriting.Net
All Rights Reserved.
|