A person talks to some men working in a quarry. One of them is moving slowly, apparently very exhausted and angry. “Cutting stones from this mountain,” he complains, “is a terrible job. It’s monotonous, extremely tiresome and pays very badly.”

The man goes to a different worker doing the same job, but with a smile on his lips, working with energy and enthusiasm. “The stones I cut will be used to build a great cathedral,” he says excitedly. “I feel honored to participate in its construction! It will be a beautiful building and will stand for thousands of years!”

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    Voice-Team
    Voice-Team(@voice-team)
    Admin
    2 years ago

    Lovely story that introduced us to a great man and inspired a great deal of deep and thoughtful discussion. May we all build cathedrals with our words. 

    Brigitta Hegyi
    Brigitta Hegyi(@brigitta-hegyi)
    2 years ago

    This short piece makes me think of that picture on a bus with a person sitting on the sunny side and the other one on the rocky side. We are the source of our own happiness.

    Brigitta Hegyi
    Brigitta Hegyi(@brigitta-hegyi)
    Reply to  Christer Norrlof
    2 years ago

    Thanks for sharing the video with us, he must be a great man, I really like his mentality!

    Linda Rock
    Linda Rock(@linda-rock)
    2 years ago

    A glass half full, half empty story Christer. I loved reading what you had to say about Jan Carlzon. If only other managers had his mentality. I’ve worked for many but only one inspired me and helped me achieve my potential. Those two men in your story were different indeed, I really enjoyed reading it.

    Linda Rock
    Linda Rock(@linda-rock)
    Reply to  Christer Norrlof
    2 years ago

    That sounds right up my street Christer. I’ll definitely give it a listen. Thanks.

    Linda Rock
    Linda Rock(@linda-rock)
    Reply to  Christer Norrlof
    2 years ago

    I’ve just listened to the interview Christer and it’s amazing how, in such simple terms, this man makes so much sense. I love the story of the 100 note, how turning something complicated into something so simple made such a difference. Thank you so much for sharing it.

    Fuji
    Fuji(@fuji)
    Reply to  Christer Norrlof
    2 years ago

    Hello Christer – I also enjoyed your story and appreciated you telling us about the YouTube interview. I watched it and loved it. I especially liked the part where Carlzon said that if something cannot be communicated it does not exist. Since we are all aspiring to communicate well, his words are particularly inspiring.

    Thank you, Christer, for your wisdom and for introducing us to another man of wisdom.

    Fuji
    Fuji(@fuji)
    Reply to  Christer Norrlof
    2 years ago

    What a beautiful response, Christer. We may actually be building cathedrals, or perhaps as e. e. cummings, said “little churches”. The sum total of all our stories, pictures, comments and sharing is creating something of great value. I also enjoy communicating with your mind!!

    Lotchie Carmelo
    Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
    2 years ago

    This story makes me realize how people see each situation differently. It is on the people how they turn or make a very difficult and bad situation into a good and productive one. The attitude makes the difference.

    Lotchie Carmelo
    Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
    Reply to  Christer Norrlof
    2 years ago

    You’re welcome, Christer.

    Eric Radcliffe
    Eric Radcliffe(@eric-radcliffe)
    2 years ago

    Hello Christer, it does us good to be reminded in your story, that it is not so much what we do, but the reason why we do it! I can look back and remember how hard my father worked knowing he managed to do what he did, because he loved my mother and us, his children.

    Last edited 2 years ago by Eric Radcliffe
    Carrie OLeary
    Carrie OLeary(@carrie-oleary)
    2 years ago

    Great story Christer, it’s always easier to do difficult or mundane tasks when you know you are creating something beautiful. Hopefully it’ll give the first man a little bit of motivation and help him enjoy his work, just a little bit more.

    Thompson Emate
    Thompson Emate(@thompson-emate)
    2 years ago

    There’s so much wisdom in this piece. It indeed buttresses its title. We”re indeed the architect of our happiness. A nice one.

    Marianna Pieterse
    Marianna Pieterse(@marianna-pieterse)
    2 years ago

    Christer, than you for sharing the story about Jan Carlzon. With the right reason for doing things, we certainly can go a long way. It is quite easy to feel like the first man in your story, if you feel that it is laborious and pointless if you do not have the motivation the second man had. Maybe it is also a case of just changing your perspective. The first man maybe… Read more »

    Marianna Pieterse
    Marianna Pieterse(@marianna-pieterse)
    Reply to  Christer Norrlof
    2 years ago

    Christer, I was just looking at your story again and was thinking that maybe if the first person was ‘included’ in the discussions and arrangements to get the job done, it might have been different.

    Daisy Blacklock
    Daisy Blacklock(@daisy-blacklock)
    2 years ago

    This is a great story with a great message. We can choose to be happy or we can choose to dwell in our anger and sadness. Well done Christer!

    Daisy Blacklock
    Daisy Blacklock(@daisy-blacklock)
    Reply to  Christer Norrlof
    2 years ago

    No problem Christer. You deserve all the positive comments.

    Eduardo Olivares
    Eduardo Olivares(@eduardo-olivares)
    2 years ago

    Oh man. Pure wisdom. Your brief text reads as a written soul gem as well as a voyage into the core of passion. All lessons intended apart, you write smoothly and straight to the point. Keep it going Chris !

    Eduardo Olivares
    Eduardo Olivares(@eduardo-olivares)
    Reply to  Christer Norrlof
    2 years ago

    Spanish for the good at heart. Lucky me !!! – Cervantes dances right now out of pure joy !

    Julie Harris
    Julie Harris(@julie-harris)
    2 years ago

    Congratulations, Christer. This was a very inspiring story and a well-deserved win! Thanks for sharing such meaningful ideas with all of us.

    Lotchie Carmelo
    Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
    2 years ago

    Congratulations, Christer, on your win.

    Linda Rock
    Linda Rock(@linda-rock)
    2 years ago

    Congratulations Christer, a well deserved win and thank you for introducing us to Jan Carlzon. I love how we get to meet such interesting people through our stories.

    Linda Rock
    Linda Rock(@linda-rock)
    Reply to  Christer Norrlof
    2 years ago

    Oh my, I love coincidences too and his answer to the question. What a lovely man.

    Fuji
    Fuji(@fuji)
    Reply to  Linda Rock
    2 years ago

    I am amazed at the coincidence, and yet not surprised. Serendipity often means being in the right place at the right time, and your story is the perfect example! Congratulations, Christer.

    Linda Rock
    Linda Rock(@linda-rock)
    Reply to  Christer Norrlof
    2 years ago

    A book of coincidences, now that sounds irresistible. Something I would really enjoy reading. Good luck Christer!

    Carrie OLeary
    Carrie OLeary(@carrie-oleary)
    2 years ago

    Congratulations Christer. Great story ?

    Marianna Pieterse
    Marianna Pieterse(@marianna-pieterse)
    2 years ago

    This is a great story, Christer. Congratulations on your well-deserved win!

    Sandra James
    Sandra James(@sandra-james)
    2 years ago

    A great story and a gentle message to us all! Congratulations, Christer!

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