Today is January 19 and the Navigate the Chaos question to consider is "Why are you doing what you are doing?'
After the Great Fire of London in 1666, Sir Christopher Michael Wren, one of the most highly acclaimed English architects in history, had the responsibility for rebuilding 52 churches, including his masterpiece, St. Paul’s Cathedral.
The cathedral was built in a relative short time span: its first stone was laid on June 21, 1675, and the building was completed in 1711.
Legend has it that Wren would often visit the construction site. During one of his visits, Wren came across three stone cutters.
Each was busy cutting a block of stone. Interested to find out what they were working on, he asked the first stone cutter what he was doing. “I am cutting a stone!”
Still no wiser, Wren turned to the second stone cutter and asked him what he was doing. “I am cutting this block of stone to make sure that it is square, and its dimensions are uniform, so that it will fit exactly in its place in a wall.”
A bit closer to finding out what the stone cutters were working on but still unclear, Wren turned to the third stone cutter. He seemed to be the happiest of the three and when asked what he was doing, replied: “I am helping to build a great cathedral.”
This stone mason clearly understood why he was doing what he was doing.
Both Wren and the third stone mason understood that they were part of something greater than themselves. They were experiencing the richness of life.
This richness allows one to develop their self, which is a never-ending process throughout life.
Mark Twain wrote "The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why."
This finding out why takes a good deal of self-awareness, time, and effort. Are you putting in the effort to find out why you were born? If you are then you have identified your purpose. If not, consider asking why you are not putting aside the time.
As you go about your day consider asking yourself why are you doing what you are doing?