The most interesting display of architecture I’ve seen is La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. As my family and I were walking our route to reach La Sagrada Familia, we turned the corner and the basilica appeared. I felt astonishment of how captivating this building is. So unique beyond anything I’ve ever seen, and the exterior was just the beginning.
Once we got closer to the giant building, we started to see the number of unique stories this building told. Entering on the east, we saw the stories the architect, Antoni Gaudi, wanted portrayed of life and creation. There were two turtles at the base on columns near where we entered that represented both land and sea to symbolize eternity. The beautiful stained-glass windows on the east used blue and green colors to represent birth and morning. The west side of the building depicts passion and sunset through warmer colors like reds and oranges.
Timing was perfect and as we were standing in the west part of the building, an incredible rainbow appeared through the sun shining in the red and orange stained-glass windows (see pic below). I could go on and on about how Gaudi had specific intentions and purpose for every single part of that magnificent building. His creation was thought through purposely from every detail and collectively told a story he wanted to recreate. Every little detail was part of the experience. Every little section of the walls, ceiling, floor, and pillars had a specific purpose to the holistic story being portrayed. Simply put, there was purpose and intention to every step of creating this magnificent building.
Every step with purpose and intention is such a valuable lesson to understand. It’s amazing how quickly our lives can be pulled in all sorts of directions with how much noise and outside influence we’re exposed to. While we still may be taking steps forward, outside influences are a big risk in directionally where that next step goes. For Gaudi, his vision was very clear in how he wanted to create a story and experience. He had purpose for every single step. In our own world, we have our own version of what we’re striving to create but is each step forward intentional and purposeful to this vision? Or are outside influences too involved in dictating where that step is going next?
Purposeful and intentional – two drivers of how we can think about our next action. Are the time and energy we’re about to spend filled with purpose and intentionality? Or are we forging ahead unknowingly influenced by outside noise?
We have a limited amount of time and energy. There will be no shortage of outside influences trying to steal this time and energy. Anchoring back to acting with purpose and intentionality can create a much more fulfilling use of time and energy. It allows us to take steps based on our authentic journey as opposed to some detour someone else forces you on.
When you take action anchor back to asking if that action is purposeful and intentional. The unique life you’re creating is something important and special. Keep your action aligned with who you’re striving to become and create the momentum you deserve driving purposeful and intentional movement forward.
Take your steps: the actions you take today – are they purposeful and intentional to what you’re striving to do? Today challenge yourself on whether the way you’re using your time and effort aligns with the vision of where you’re wanting to grow. Reflect whether the time and energy align with your authentic vision.
