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MUSINGS ON LIFE
I think; therefore, I muse
 
DIANE HUGHES • NASHVILLE, TN
WRITER, EDITOR, CREATIVE PROFESSIONAL

Don't lay bricks; build a cathedral

9/2/2012

8 Comments

 
Picture St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin. © D. Hughes
The crowd sat eagerly waiting as the college president stepped to the rostrum to address a gathering of faculty, students, administrators and guests. This convocation was not only the beginning of a new school year but a new beginning for the president as well; he had just assumed his duties as president over the summer.

As a member of my alma mater's alumni advisory council, I was invited to attend this event. Being there brought back memories of my days in that same auditorium, of sitting in the quiet foyer of the building to study before my next class. And it reminded me of how proud I felt to be there, how inspired and motivated I was to succeed.

As the president spoke, I was inspired all over again. He began by telling the story of three bricklayers building a cathedral. Perhaps you've heard it — I had not. The story goes something like this:

A man happened along three bricklayers busy at work. He asked the first bricklayer, "What are you doing?"


"I'm laying bricks," the first bricklayer said.

The man asked the second bricklayer the same question.

"I'm putting up a wall," was the reply.

The passerby then posed the question to the third bricklayer.

"What are you doing?" he asked. 

"I'm building a great cathedral," the third bricklayer replied.

The president then suggested that each employee at the college should be engaged in their work and focused on the big picture. Whether their job is cleaning restrooms or filing records or teaching a class or selling a textbook, they should realize that each of those acts plays a part in shaping and aiding the education and future of a student. 

Last year, I contacted my alumni association with the hope of finding a way to volunteer — to give back to the institution that had done so much for me. Recently I met with other planning committee members to stuff envelopes for invitations to our fall fundraiser. While that act itself may seem small and insignificant, the money raised at that fundraiser will mean everything to the scholarship recipient who is able to graduate from college. That's the big picture I try to focus on. That's my proverbial cathedral: a student beaming brightly while wearing a cap and gown and going on to a successful life.

Yes, the bricks are important; they are the building blocks, the foundation of whatever work we do. We just need to see beyond the singular brick, the isolated act, and realize that it's a part of the whole. Just imagine a brick wall riddled with empty spaces where bricks were left out. Those missing bricks would compromise the strength and integrity of the wall. Each brick, each person, each job is an imperative part of the whole.

If you can't see your cathedral for the bricks, maybe it's time to look for purpose in what you do — or dedicate yourself to doing something different. Determine to look at the big picture and recognize the importance of what you do each day. Don't lay bricks; build a great cathedral.

Are you laying bricks today? Or building a cathedral? Please share your thoughts in the comments.

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The graduate: When dreams come true

5/5/2012

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graduation, a dream deferred© Diane Hughes 2012
The familiar strains of pomp and circumstance played in my head as I entered my old college gymnasium. It was early yet, and the building was rather quiet. But soon this space would be teeming with throngs of people — not unlike the days of my youth when I eagerly raced these hallways trying to register for my next semester of classes.

I thought of the sight to come: a sea of young people, dressed in regalia and filled with pride and the promise of tomorrow. This day represented the pinnacle of their hard work. Those prospective graduates would soon stand proudly poised to go out into the world and do great things.

I strolled the all-but-empty hallways trying to remember the location of the ladies room. Soon the familiar door presented itself, and I entered, coming face to face with a woman who flashed a smile and proceeded to don a graduation gown. Though she carried herself with a youthful exuberance, the faint lines on her face revealed that she was older than the average college graduate. I caught her eye in the mirror as she carefully practiced wearing the mortarboard; soon she began to recount the events that had brought her to this day.

The story went by in a flash. Her family was not one of financial means. Neither of her parents went to college, and it wasn’t a pursuit that was expected of her. As she zipped up her gown, she recalled dropping out of high school and working in a factory before finally enrolling in college – paying her own way.

But after 3 ½ years of part-time work and full-time study, she needed a break and took a semester off. One semester turned into another … and another. Then jobs and bills came, then marriage and a mortgage. In the ensuing years, she never let go of the dream to someday finish what she’d started. After some years away from the classroom, an inquiry with a college advisor revealed her prized goal was within reach. She set in course a plan of action.

And, now, here she stood in her cap and gown, having celebrated a milestone birthday only months earlier. The fulfillment of her hard work had finally come to fruition. As she draped the silver honors stole around her neck, her sense of pride seemed palpable; tears welled in my eyes as a wave of emotion washed over me.

As our brief encounter in that tucked-away ladies room drew to a close, I marveled at her strength and determination. “You should be very proud of yourself,” I said, looking at the reflection in the mirror.

Giving a last glance at the face staring back at me, I adjusted my cap, straightened my shoulders, flashed a knowing smile and said to myself, “Yes, you should be very proud.”

Do you have a dream? Are you working toward achieving a lifelong goal? How's it going and what obstacles have you faced? Please share your story in the Comments.

P.S. I fulfilled my goal on May 7, 2011, but I'm still on cloud nine over my accomplishment. To all of those joining the ranks and graduating this spring, I congratulate you on your achievement and wish you all the best for the future.

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My first foray into blogging

6/15/2011

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School's Out!

Picture
When I started college at the age of 26, I had no idea how many years would pass before I would finally hold my hard-earned bachelor's degree.

After a few years in the workplace — gaining valuable experience — I returned to academia in 2010 and proudly walked at commencement on May 7, 2011. So ... no more pencils, no more books. I am now ready for a summer filled with kayaking and gardening adventures. (And study of SEO best practices for copywriting, meta titles, meta descriptions, html, marketing through social media and more. Just call me a lifelong learner.)

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    DIANE HUGHES

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