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Writing for Resilience

Small discoveries, big ideas, and other tips & tricks that I’ve stumbled across in my ongoing quest to make the world a better place.

Leadership, Social Justice Matthew Wappett Leadership, Social Justice Matthew Wappett

Why Do You Do What You Do?: Finding Purpose in Life and Work

One of my favorite metaphors is that of "cathedral building", frequently used by Bill Shore, the founder of the non-profit Share Our Strength (S.O.S). Bill points out that the cathedrals in Europe were edifices that required hundreds of years to build. Cathedrals began with a vision by the architects and craftsmen of a particular generation and they laid the foundations, but the final building was not completed until well after the original architects and craftsmen were dead. Generation after generation labored to build these massive buildings and almost all of the workmen never lived to see the final result of their efforts. They labored daily to build these magnificent structures because they had faith that they were working on something that would be a permanent monument and an enduring testament to their efforts and sacrifice. The cathedral builders were engaged in a work that ensured their immortality. So, what is your cathedral? What are you building every day? What are we building together? Why do you do what you do?

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