SOLID ROCK

Many of the truly great structures of the ancient world, such as the Great Wall of China, the Pyramids of Egypt, the great Maya cities of Tikal, Palenque, Chichenitza in the Yucatan Peninsula and the Temple City of Teotihuacan in Mexico, all have a number of similarities, many of which are very obvious to us. Firstly, we see they are all very large and substantial structures. Next, we may notice they are all built of stone, being the only permanent building material available in ancient times. Thirdly, that they are all very old. In some instances, they have stood for five thousand years.

However, the most important characteristic they all have in common is not always so apparent and so obvious, and this singular feature that unites them all is the foundations upon which all these great structures are built. Thousands and thousands of tonnes of rock, sand, soil, coral and coal, all of the building materials that mankind had discovered are suitable and reliable for this purpose, provide the basis upon which all these dramatic structures have been able to stand and continue to survive down through the ages to the present time. The obvious lesson to be learnt from this knowledge is that the only way for anything we create to grow and become something of substance and permanence in our live, is if it is built on a rock solid base.

It is very important to realise that although we have, up to now been using the physical structure of ancient buildings as an example, the truth is that almost everything in our lives needs to have a strong base to build upon if it is to stand firm over the years and indeed to continue to grow and to flourish. Anything of longevity has to have a solid beginning. Let us examine some situations where this is easily shown. Building a business requires us to firstly have a creative idea, visualize the progressive results, see potential obstacles to our success, then we begin to build the physical structures we need to power our new business. Perhaps it is a good office building or enough factory space or machinery that will adequately accomplish producing our new clients orders. It would also involve making sure we acquire the best staffing personnel to operate the business smoothly and with efficiency.

The basic structure could be almost anything. However it must be strong, solid and of excellent quality for its specific purpose and most of all well planned and executed in its application.

This now brings us to consider what is probably the most important application of all for this simple, basic idea of a solid foundation, and this is to apply it to our personal, individual lives. Having a stable, well defined plan for how we would like to develop our lives and grow with the lives of those people around us whom we love and cherish is the key to a life filled with love and happiness, harmony and personal achievement. It helps enable us to develop good ethics and life principals we can apply to ourselves and use as living examples to our children. It creates stability in our work lives, enjoyment of our sporting and leisure activities and quality time spent with our life partner and children. Indeed, there is no facet of our life that will not be enhanced by good planning and earnest application.

There is another important thing which should be considered when we discuss the principal of the solid base and that is, there will be times when we will find it necessary to consider some fundamental changes to your base. Life is never stable enough and unchangeable that we will not have to consider making adjustments to our building plans at some times in our life. This is completely normal and you should make every effort to effect these changes in the most calm, organized and practical manner you are capable of. Do not be afraid of the changes. If you make them in an orderly and considered manner, they will cause very little disruption and indeed place you back on your path with ease. Remember our ancient buildings and consider the future results if builders and subsequent caretakers did not make adjustments to the foundations when structural or design errors were discovered.

Also, please do not forget the spiritual structure of your life, which ever form it takes for you. It to can be greatly enhanced by planning and organization while you work upon your personal beliefs to build a spiritual path that will take you and indeed those people around you on a more happy, loving and contented journey through your life.