What is your “WHY?”

Written By Sherry Fernandez

YOUR MASTERPIECE IS YOU

The great fire of 1666 leveled London.

The world famous architect, Christopher Wren, was commissioned to rebuild St Paul’s Cathedral.

There is an often repeated story about a day in 1671, when Wren observed three bricklayers.

Wren asked the question, “What are you doing?” to which the first bricklayer replied, “I’m a bricklayer. I’m working hard laying bricks to feed my family.”

The second bricklayer responded, “I’m a builder. I’m building a wall.”

But the third bricklayer, the most passionate and committed of the group, when asked the question, “What are you doing?” replied with a gleam in his eye, “I’m a cathedral builder. I’m building a great cathedral to The Almighty.”

Questions like, “What is your why?” and advice like “Start with why.” are trendy right now.

I like this kind of conversation because knowing the why behind any decision refines your commitment to that decision.

That is why Friedrich Nietzsche said,

“He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.”

Knowing your why is the critical first step in figuring out how to achieve the goals that excite you and in creating a life where you thrive rather than survive.

When you know your why, you will find the courage to take the risks you will need to take to stay motivated when adversity strikes. You will maintain a clear sense of purpose, enabling you to live a life that excels your dreams. 

Like the brick layers in the story, each of us is building something that has the potential to be spectacular and leave an enduring legacy. We are building a life.

The life we are building is our own masterpiece on the only canvas we have.

The quality of your masterpiece is determined by your why. What is your why? It is your own particular passions, desires, dreams, life mission, and the people you love.