Congratulations to our Design Contest Winner!
First off all, Zach and I want to thank you all for entering our humble little contest. We recieved over 246 entries!
Kelly and Ralph Hallett of Bay Park won the free design from Falling Waters. I’m looking forward to working on their Mid-Century home and documenting the progress here.
For the rest of you that expressed interest in our services we encourage you to contact us and take advantage of a special offer. Please email me (Ryan@fallingwatersweb.com) or give me a call at 619-955-5595 to learn more.
On a side note, in this economy all of us are struggling and I really believe that not only will things get better, but when they do all of us will be better people for having endured through these hard times. I have to believe that the hardships our friends and family are going through will eventually result in something good. We are all learning how to live with less… is that such a bad thing? I’ll leave you with a story…
A boat docked in a tiny Mexican village and an American tourist complimented the Mexican fisherman on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.
“Not very long,” said the fisherman.
“But then why didn’t you stay out longer and catch more?” Asked the American.
The Mexican explained that his small catch was sufficient to meet his needs and those of his family.
The American asked, “But what do you do with the rest of your time?”
“I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children and take a siesta with my wife. In the evenings, I go to the village to see my friends, have a few drinks, play guitar and sing songs… I have a full life.”
The American interrupted “I have an MBA from Harvard and I can help you! You should start by fishing longer every day. You can then sell the extra fish you catch. With the extra revenue, you can buy a bigger boat. With the extra money the bigger boat will bring, you can buy more boats until you have an entire fleet of trawlers. Instead of selling fish to the middle man, you can go directly to the processing plant and maybe even own your own plant. Then, you can leave this little village and direct your enterprise from Mexico City or even New York City!
“How long would that take?” asked the Mexican.
“Twenty, maybe 25 years.” replied the American.
“And after that?”
“Afterwards? Then it gets really interesting, answered the American, laughing. “When your business gets really big you can start sellingstocks and make millions!”
“Millions? Really? And after that?”
“After that, you’ll be able to retire, live in a tiny village near the coast, sleep late, play with your children, catch a few fish, take a siesta, and spend your evenings drinking and enjoying your friends!”
To everyone out there weighing big decisions, remember what you are working for. Work hard, continue to reach for “success”, or at least the definition according to Emerson…
To laugh often and much
to win the respect of intelligent people
and affection of children; to earn the
appreciation of honest critics and
endure the betrayal of false friends;
to appreciate beauty, to find the best
in others; to leave the world a bit
better, whether by a healthy child
a garden patch or redeemed
social condition; to know even
one life has breathed easier because
you have lived. This is to have
succeeded.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
