Take Inventory - Part II

The bar door swung wide open. In walked a distinguished, well dressed and handsome middle-age man. With confidence in his step he headed towards the bar, set down and ordered his drink: "Whiskey, single blend, dry, in a bucket..." he said with a brisk voice.... "... and pour one for yourself while you're at it!" he added.

Filling two glasses, the bartender pushed one towards the man, lifted his drink, took a sip and placed the glass back on the bar saying: "Thanks, to your health."

Just as the bartender was about to walk away the man on the stool cleared his throat and said: "Don't remember me now do you?"

Without waiting for an answer he continued: "It was two years ago today that I sat at this exact same spot having a drink with you. I was down and out. You shared a listening ear, gave me free drinks and offered me your life's experience.

Today I am back to thank you for your kindness. Today I am here to tell you that because of the time you took and because of what you told me, my life has changed in ways I could have never dreamed of. Sir, I lift my glass to you and salute you, for you are a noble man."

With that the man stood up from his stool, lifted his glass high in the air and clicked his heels. Then with one gesture and one gulp he consumed the whiskey.

No longer able to contain his curiosity the bartender asked: "Who are you? You must be mistaken... I don't remember telling a rich man my story... and I certainly don't remember giving him free drinks. You must have the wrong guy and the wrong bar?"

The man smiled. "No, no, this is the place and you are the doc. You told me how taking inventory of yourself made you discover your true heart's desires and who you really are. You are the man that made me take inventory of myself by sharing your story with me. I want you to know that I am forever thankful. You may not be a medical doctor anymore but as far as I am concerned you are far greater than that. You my friend, you heal lost souls and that's as good as it gets."

Then the bartender's face lit up: "Yes, indeed, now I remember. You were the guy ready to kill himself and got mad because you thought I was helping you by offering you free drinks. By golly, sure looks to me like everything certainly worked out magnificently for you .... What happened?"

Then the man told his story:

"Two years ago you told me how you took inventory of your life and how in doing so you discovered true happiness and true living. That same day I went home and did the same thing. I wrote down everything I truly love. You know, the things that give you joy. I discovered that what really makes me happy is building wooden toys.

I decided, just like you did, that was exactly what I was going to do. So, I carved a few wooden toys right on my kitchen table. I took them to orphanages and children medical centers and shared them with the kids. I can still see the children's eyes light up when I gave them my home-made wooden toys. The smiles in their faces brought tears to my eyes. I knew I was finally doing what I was suppose to be doing.

Funny how money all of a sudden didn't matter anymore. Money was no longer my #1 concern. Making children happy and building wooden toys was...

One day, while visiting one of those centers to leave my toys, a well-dressed, well-groomed man approached me. He told me that he often came to visit this place. He said he'd seen the wooden toys and how much the children loved them. Then he told me something that made my mouth drop and changed my life forever.

He said: "I'd like to propose a partnership with you. I'd like to invest in your toys. I want you to make more of these wonderful toys and share them with more children in need. I want to offer you five million dollars."

The rest as they say, doc, is history... My life hasn't been the same since and... I owe it all to you."

The doc and the man became best of friends over the years. The wooden toys are now sold in every toy store around the world. The company is the largest wooden toy manufacturer in the world. Staying true to his heart's desire, every year, the toymaker sees to it that five million pieces, are handed out to orphanages and children's hospitals around the world.

Because of privacy issues I am not at privilege to share names. What I can share with you is that this is a true story. And miracles like this will happen to you too when you are willing to listen to and follow the direction of your soul.

Take inventory of your life. Cast off all that you dislike. Keep only what makes you truly happy and persue that dream with an undying thirst to help and serve others.

It is absolutely amazing the miracles that come into your own life when you live life following YOUR heart. Don't be afraid to go for it. The doc and the man did and both share lives that fulfill each other completely.

There is absolutely no reason you can't live a fulfilling life. All you have to do it Take Inventory....