The sculptures of Michelangelo need no introduction to most people. We are all familiar with his masterpieces, David, Day and Night, Twilight and Dawn, Medici, Madonna and Child.
Michelangelo stands as one of the towering figures in the history of art. His majestic Frescoes on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and his masterful sculptures bear witness to his greatness. But he was a man never content to rest on his laurels. He spent countless hours on his back on the scaffolding in the Sistine, carefully perfecting the details of each figure. When a friend questioned such meticulous attention to detail on the grounds that “at that height who will know whether it is perfect or not?” Michelangelo’s simple response was, “I will.”
One of his most massive sculptures is a statue of Moses, completed more than four hundred years ago, often called his best work. If one looks closely at the statue of Moses, however, you find a long, narrow dent on Moses’ knee. It is the mark of an artist who was never satisfied with his own work!
After completing work on Moses, the master sculptor stood back and surveyed his craftsmanship. Suddenly, in anger, he struck the knee of his creation with his chisel and shouted, “Why don’t you speak?” the chisel scar that remains on the statue’s knee is the mark of a man who always reached out for more. His ambition was to be the best he could be.
I don’t think it’s a crime to aspire to be the best in your industry. I mean if names are being mentioned in your chosen profession, why shouldn’t yours be among? Most people get satisfied with little achievement. Don’t get me wrong, am not preaching greed. According to Charles Lamb “My motto is: contented with little, yet wishing for more.”
Many years ago, a promising Greek artist named Timanthes was under the instruction of a well-known tutor. After several years, the young painter created an exquisite portrait. He was so thrilled with what he had painted that he sat day after day gazing at his work. One morning, however, he was horrified to discover that his teacher had deliberately ruined his painting. Angry and in tears, Timanthes ran to him and asked why he had destroyed his cherished possession. The wise man replied, “I did it for your own good. That painting was retarding your progress. It was an excellent piece of art, but it was not perfect. Start again and see if you can do even better. The student took his advice and produced a masterpiece called “Sacrifice of Iphigenia,” regarded by some as one of the finest paintings of antiquity.
It was William George Jordan that advised “There are times when a man should be content with what he has but never with what he is.” Many today are like Timanthes, always relishing in past achievements and refusing to move ahead. Those who are satisfied with their accomplishments tend to remain as little as the things they do. The true giants in any field are those who are never satisfied that they have done enough or have done their best. That’s the driving force behind their greatness.
To our success!
– Uju Onyechere
I’ m so beautiful and precious a stone!
I’m a yellow precious substance use for several wonderful things!
Never talk of shiny coins, ornaments & jewelleries in my absence!
I make the whole colours of radiating products!
No riches are complete without me!
I make a whole man respected when he appears in gold!
I make a king honoured when he wears a golden crown!
The more gold you have, the more honours you get!
But I’m strictly careful of something!
I’m not available to ordinary men’-so, I make myself so scarce!
You only find me after digging deep a rock!
Yes! I’m more than that, cos I know what I pass through before shining- strictly refined by fire- in pains & in agonies
Subjected to unbearable conditions so as to shine.
– But don’t bother about that!
I’m not interested in what proceed the glory even though painful experience- but only interested in the glory itself
No! I can’t afford to be dim or not to shine, I can’t afford to be dishonored- so I bear pains!
But it’s a pity- so piteous indeed that:-
MY GLORY IS FLEETING:- so speak the Gold. It’s PERISHABLE!
It’s so interesting to hear, that gold can bear all these!
Because it cherishes its fleeting glory despite the pains gold bears during refinery for a perishable reward.
How much more then should worth my faith of greater worth than gold.
Giving me a living hope in Christ.
Shielding me by God’s own power
How much more should I shift my attention;
From this fleeting pains and tears
From this present shame and frustrations
As I cherish much more my afterward glory
My future more glorious, more valuable, more wonderful than of gold which its glory perishes.
No matter how costly and unavoidable it may be!
But I, living with a glorious inheritance
Not at all comparable to that of gold’s
Yes! Present circumstances are immaterial!
WORTH MUCH MORE THAN GOLD!
– raphael aworinde
Have you ever pondered on what your feelings may be like, if you stay hours, days, weeks and months at home without communicating with anybody? Most likely either the Parents or child will be perturbed.
I’m sure the father would be greatly concerned; likewise the child would be found in uneasiness. The Fatherly role of God to us cannot be overemphasized.
Communication is a vital tool in any family relationship. I mean the child bears his or her mind, while the father replies by responding through action or words.
This is exactly what prayer is expected to achieve in our relationship with God. Have you felt bad lately? Have you been feeling lonely, or helpless of recent?
Why not commune and relate with God in prayers. Pray some.
Did you just mutter in your heart that you’ve prayed? Maybe it was done hurriedly, hastily, briefly, brashly and rashly.
Remember that most of your heart rubbings with your Father had tremendous impact after you’ve spent quality time expressing and understanding one another’s opinion, interest, etc.
– adeyiga_awomuti
