Builders

I saw this cartoon one day while scrolling social media. It struck my curiosity so strongly I decided to sit down and write...

We build.

Crafting and creating.

We build houses, roads, monuments.

Jesus was a carpenter.

We create.

Languages, families, nations.

We create rules and standard, drawing from our inherent sense of fairness.

In our minds, ecosystems of possible outcomes flourish.

We build our future.

Like most things, not all projects are made equal.

Houses dilapidate, poor craftsmanship.

Children make a mess, a young man makes a fool of himself. A husband makes and apology.

We are inventors, following a blue print only half finished.

We make decisions, propped up by the scaffolding of hope.

Hope to build higher.

Why is it we always want more, but are too nervous to look down?

There is one build man will never perfect.

A humbling enigma that even our delusions of grandeur will give way to.

This, is the ability to create happiness.

One void of instructions, happiness has proven to be man’s most difficult DIY project.

Neglected and undermined, happiness is the most imitated invention in the world.

But the ironic conundrum of our ingenuity is that only we can create our own joy.

We are stubborn consumers after all, demanding that we have, “our brand.”

We can try the store brand.

This product is most likely cheaply made, despite it’s high costs, and will leave you with buyers remorse.

True happiness is tedious to make.

It’s the Sunday Sauce that's been simmering all day.

Painstakingly seasoned, it’s made with fresh tomatoes.

Did I mention you need a garden?

I told you, true happiness is difficult to make.

But we all know this.

Despite having no margin for error through-out such an arduous process, every single person has the ability to make their own happiness.

It is hard-wired into our brains.

Our Divine blueprint.

While we may be side-tracked by the allure of greatness, remember to create happiness whenever possible.

Make it first and make it often.

Keep some spare parts around, others may need a lending hand making theirs.

But understand that they, and ourselves, must be the ones who make the finishing touches.

Only then will you become a true builder.