Three Minute Leadership- Life Is Meant to Be Lived
To: The Great Leaders Who Have a Passion for Continuous Learning
In his story, “Life is Meant to Be Lived,” Steven Goodier, author, reminds great leaders of the importance of using every talent, every gift they are given to live life to its fullest.
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.’
Goodier quotes William Arthur Ward, writer, who wrote: ‘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.’ We are all beautiful instruments – of different types and sounds whose life is to be lived and shared. We were not meant to be ‘consigned to silence.’ We are all born to share our music. It is special, one of a kind and unique to us. No one else can play it the way we can. Sometimes our music will be best heard in an orchestra, others more beautifully in solo. Its joyous sound awaits to be heard.
Goodier writes: “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…. 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.” Capture every moment of yours and live it with gusto. Fill it with fire and passion. Remember the words of Plato: “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” So may it be with your magnificent music. Let its magic enchant the world.
Have a beautiful day, a magnificent week and a peaceful, joyous and Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Mike