Thought for the Day 1/7/2022

 Friday Tale - Put the Pieces Together 

Several centuries ago, the Emperor of Japan commissioned a Japanese artist to paint a particular species of bird for him. Months passed, then a whole year. Finally, the Emperor himself went to the artist’s studio to ask for an explanation.

The artist set a blank canvas on the easel and within fifteen minutes, had completed a painting of the bird. It was a masterpiece! Admiring both the painting and the artist’s great skill, the Emperor asked why there had been such a long delay.

    The artist then went from cabinet to cabinet in his studio. He pulled from them armloads of drawings of feathers, tendons, wings, feet, claws, eyes, and beaks, - virtually every aspect of a bird, from virtually every angle. He placed them before the Emperor, who nodded in understanding. 

The magnificence of any finished product can never be greater than the magnificence of any singular detail.

    To have an excellent life, strive for an excellent year. Within that year, strive for an excellent month, and within that month, strive for an excellent day. Within a day, strive for an excellent hour. An excellent life is the sum of many excellent moments.

  It’s the little things in life that determines the big things.

~ from Jim Gentil

 For who has despised the day of small things?
Though your beginning was insignificant,
yet your end will increase greatly. 
~ Zech 4:10 with Job 8:7