If Your Life Were a Building … ?

October 10, 2007 by Brad Shorr
Filed under Coffee Break

Joanna Young tagged me for Robert Hruzek’s latest group project, If Your Life Were a Building … what would you want it to look like?

Thanks, Joanna! For me, this intriguing question is a no brainer. I choose the Parthenon. Here’s why.

1. It’s simple. No hidden agendas, no complications. If I could be as open and honest as the Parthenon, I’d be a happy camper.

2. It’s quiet. When I stood atop The Acropolis looking down over Athens, I was taken by how quiet it was. I prefer quiet - I would make a bad disco or casino. I prefer listening to talking, and truth be told, at times prefer reading to either.

3. It’s historic. I love history - without a grasp of it, I don’t see how anyone can make sense of the present. The Parthenon embodies all the best of Western culture - political freedom, personal freedom, philosophical insight, intellectual honesty, courage, imagination … Remembering our heritage is important to me. If I were the Parthenon, I’d be a living history book.

4. It hangs in there. Thanks to an old football injury, I’m falling apart, much like the Parthenon. But the Parthenon endures, filling me with hope that as we age, we retain and perhaps increase our interior value.

5. It’s spiritual. I believe there’s more to life than meets the eye, so my building has to have a spiritual dimension. The Parthenon was originally a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena. It later became a Christian church, and then a mosque. The Parthenon is beauty with a purpose - to give thanks and praise to powers beyond our understanding that are woven into the fabric of our lives. That’s the kind of building I’d like to be! It’s not an easy construction project - some days I feel like this Parthenon. But I keep trying.

Question
If your life were a building, what would you want it to look like?

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Comments

12 Responses to “If Your Life Were a Building … ?”

Robyn says:

October 10, 2007 at 2:30 pm

Brad, what an amazing building to choose… but I never think of you as ancient! You’re ageless…
Brad Shorr says:

October 10, 2007 at 2:31 pm

Thanks Robyn, obviously you’ve never seen me in person.
Robert Hruzek says:

October 10, 2007 at 4:00 pm

Hey, Brad, this is interesting! But I’m afraid Robyn beat me to the “age” joke. I particularly like the “hang in there” part - good one!

Thanks for joining us!
Brad Shorr says:

October 10, 2007 at 4:03 pm

Hi Robert, Thanks. You sure have a knack for dreaming up group projects! This one really made me think. Your New York New York choice was fabulous.
Joanna Young says:

October 11, 2007 at 3:29 am

Brad, I loved your choice of building too, and how you described what it represents to you - including the blend of the funny and the profound (which I guess is what life is like too.)

I’m really enjoying these contributions - I feel I’m learning so much from people as they share their building.

Thanks - and to Robert for dreaming it up.

Joanna

My favourite line was this : I would make a bad disco or casino.

You and me both!
Brad Shorr says:

October 11, 2007 at 5:52 am

Hi Joanna, You’re right, this exercise is very revealing. You got me thinking, the Parthenon doesn’t have a humor component, but I can always add on!
Mike says:

October 12, 2007 at 6:35 pm

What a great post ! Great analogies.

I wish I’d done a post like that with sales in mind.
Brad Shorr says:

October 14, 2007 at 7:11 am

Mike, thanks. Why don’t you give it a shot?
Mike says:

October 14, 2007 at 8:20 am

I’ll look at it Brad and see if I think I can do it justice.
George Ajazi says:

October 14, 2007 at 8:34 pm

if i were a building… i’d look like a Pull ‘n’ Pak.
Brad Shorr says:

October 15, 2007 at 5:40 am

George, you do anyway.