A man came upon a construction site where three people were working. He asked the first, “What are you doing?” and the man replied: “I am laying bricks.” He asked the second, “What are you doing?” and the man replied: “I am building a wall.” As he approached the third, he heard him humming a tune as he worked, and asked, “What are you doing?” The man stood, looked up at the sky, and smiled, “I am building a cathedral!”
Having the proper perspective on what we do each day, week, month, and year changes the way we feel about the mundane and difficult. To fully adopt the third bricklayer’s visionary perspective we must dig a little deeper into the “why” of our roles at work, in family, in friendship, etc. If our role did not exist what would happen to the overall system? If our responsibility were executed poorly or superbly what would occur? Recognizing and reminding oneself of his or her contribution towards the greater objective can provide tremendous motivation to endure and excel.
This story communicates much more than the external, tangible work of the bricklayer. Yes…he is building a cathedral but he is also building something just as, if not more, important than a sacred religious structure. His actions on that construction site, if performed right, are building a character and evolution of a more complete man.
The disconnect for so many is that they don’t have a clear view of their life’s blueprint and targeted finish product. Our insides are not something we can put on paper or build out of bricks. This causes many to neglect the planning and thought associated with strategic development and growth. Although our insides are not something we can build out of materials they are something that can be felt by ourselves and the people around us.
Many of us approach this internal journey like Alice approached her journey through wonderland:
“Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?”
“That depends a good deal on where you want to get to.”
“I don’t much care where –”
“Then it doesn’t matter which way you go.”
Without clarity and understanding on the finished product of our lives our daily actions lack meaning and purpose. The more clear we become on who we want to be, how to get there, and what must be done the more cognizant we are of our many daily choices. Each choice will take us closer, or further, from the construction of our envisioned “cathedral”.
A father who lovingly changes diapers, plays with his children, and puts them to bed is not simply being a “good dad”. Instead he may have decided that these activities are ultimately a means to an end of raising a contributing member of society that will make a meaningful difference in the world.
Just like this father you have important roles in your life. What is the purpose, or end game, of each of these roles? Taking time to understand, clarify, and internalize these customized insights makes the difference between an average, so-so life and a happy, purposeful existence that you can be proud of.
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