A Parable On Purpose and Perspective
Once upon a time, there were three bricklayers working on the same construction site.
When asked “What are you doing?” their responses revealed everything:
- 🧱 The First Bricklayer: “I’m laying bricks to feed my family.”
- 🏗️ The Second Bricklayer: “I’m building a wall.”
- ⛪ The Third Bricklayer: “I’m building a cathedral that will honor the Almighty and stand for generations to come.”
Same Work. Different Vision.
All three were doing identical tasks, but their perspectives transformed everything. One saw a job, another saw progress, and the third saw purpose.
What This Means for You
Whether you’re working on your home, managing a property, or building something greater for your community, ask yourself:
- Level 1: Am I just completing tasks?
- Level 2: Do I understand what I’m building?
- Level 3: Do I see how my work serves others and creates lasting value?
The more you connect your daily work to its greater purpose, the more:
- Motivated you’ll feel
- Engaged you’ll become
- Impact you’ll create
The Masonry Mindset
In restoration and masonry work, this parable rings especially true. Every brick we lay, every stone we restore, every structure we repair is part of preserving history and creating lasting beauty.
When we restore a historic building or repair masonry that’s weathered by time, we’re not just fixing what’s broken. We’re honoring the craftsmanship of those who came before us and ensuring these structures endure for future generations.
The question for every mason and restoration craftsman: Are you just laying bricks, or are you preserving history and creating something that will stand the test of time?
What’s your cathedral? What greater purpose drives your work?