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“A rock pile ceases to be a rock pile the moment a single man contemplates it, bearing within him the image of a cathedral.” ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery
We’ve all got rock piles in our lives – raw material lying around begging for use and purpose. Skills, connections, passions, new and creative ideas that turn reality on its head. Some we’re starting to tap and develop, and some are waiting for their turn in the lime light of our attention.
This raw material takes on a certain kind of magic when we consider how we can bind it all together into something we are proud to take out into the world. It’s that book you’ve wanted to write, that class you’ve wanted to give, that piece of art that lies dormant in a blank canvas longing for color. We have this terrible habit of comparing ourselves to all of the other people in the world with our same talents and interests, wondering how we can possibly carve out a little space where our unique voice can be heard. That habit creates fear, which leaves so much work undone. To quote John Lennon, “too many people die with the music still in them.”
This image of a cathedral builder is an inspirational one. It represents hope and confidence in our ability to do and be something extraordinary, to make a powerful, lasting, and meaningful contribution to the world. All this raw material can be transformed the moment we take a different perspective and begin to see the raw material as a resource to live our best lives.
Tell me, what is the cathedral you hope to build?
The image above depicts the cathedral in Salamanca, Spain. I wish there had been a photo credit with it but I couldn’t find one. Can you believe how much light it holds?
This blog is part of the 2011 WordPress Post Every Day Challenge.
Christa Avampato 