Just An Hour Of Your Time!

I had posted this nine years ago and realised that it is even more poignant today as we struggle to survive in these increasingly difficult times...

Whether it is a personal or business issue (and quite frankly... it's people that make up businesses, so it's always personal), if you lose sight of the important things in your life, then the business journey, no matter how successful, will never be worth it.

This is a very old story, but so true and it has always brought a tear to my eyes...

SON: "Daddy, may I ask you a question?"

DAD: "Yeah sure son, what is it?"

SON: "Daddy, how much do you make an hour?"

Dad thought that this was an unusual question and said: "That's really none of your business son. Why would you want to know such a thing?"

SON: "I just want to know Dad. Please tell me, how much do you make an hour?"

DAD: "If you must know, I make $100 an hour."

SON: "Oh…” (With his head bowed down)... he asked is father, "Daddy, may I please borrow $50?"

The boys father got quite angry and said, "If the only reason you asked how much I made an hour is so that you can borrow some money... probably to buy a silly toy or some other nonsense... then you march yourself straight to your room and go to bed. Think about why you are being so selfish. I work hard every day and won’t waste my money on your foolishness."

The little boy quietly went to his room and shut the door.

The father then sat down and fumed about his son’s request.

How dare he ask such a question... only to get some money out of me?

But after about an hour or so, he had calmed down, and started to think… maybe… just maybe... there was something his son really needed to buy with that $50, and he really didn't ask for money... or anything for that matter... very often.

He then went to his son’s room and quietly opened the door.

DAD: "Are you asleep, son?"

SON: "No daddy, I'm awake".

DAD: "I've been thinking, maybe I was a little too harsh with you earlier. It's been a long day and I took out my aggravation on you. Here's the $50 you asked for."

The little boy sat straight up, smiling.

SON: "Oh, thank you daddy!"

Then, reaching under his pillow he pulled out some crumpled-up bills. The father saw that his son already had some money, and started to get angry again. The little boy slowly counted out his money, and then looked up at his father...

DAD: "Why did you want more money if you already had some?"

SON: "Because I didn't have enough, but now I do. "Daddy, I have $100 now. Can I buy an hour of your time? Please come home early tomorrow. I would like to have dinner with you."

The father was totally stunned... as he put his arms around his little boy, and as tears welled up in his eyes... he asked his son to forgive him.

This is just a short reminder to all of you who are working so hard and being so busy in your life... that if you don't stop and look after those that look up to you and love you... you will lose a very precious gift...

One that once lost... can be so difficult to regain!

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