The story of “The Elephant and the Rope” was retold by Dr. Bruce Lipton at a lecture I attended (you can read about that here). I wanted to write about this lecture and knew that story was an important part of the lesson so I googled in search of its origin. This is when I discovered its author, Paulo Coelho. He has written many books, all of which hold a certain charm. First I read The Alchemist. I absolutely loved the book. Today, I finished another of his books, Brida. His stories have wonderful qualities ranging from mystery, spirituality, self-discovery, love and adventure. Paulo Coelho writes in a way that makes the reader feel as though the story is being told to just her, around a warm fire in the cold woods by a wise and ancient spirit. I am grateful to have discovered his writing, and sorry that I did not know of him sooner.
While just beginning Brida, I was struck by this passage in the Prologue.
An anonymous text from the Tradition says that, in life, each person can take one of two attitudes: to build or to plant. The builders might take years over their tasks, but one day, they finish what they’re doing. Then they find they’re hemmed in by their own walls. Life loses its meaning when the building stops.
Then there are those who plant. They endure storms and all the many vicissitudes of the seasons, and they rarely rest. But, unlike a building, a garden never stops growing. And while it requires the gardener’s constant attention, it also allows life for the gardener to be a great adventure.
Gardeners always recognize one another, because they know that in the history of each plant lies the growth of the whole World” (xiv-xv).
Which would you say represents your path? Are you a Builder or a Gardener?
I recognized myself in both. I know that when I just graduated college and began my career, I wanted to conquer life. I was in pursuit of success and in a mad dash for the finish line. I worked feverishly, consumed knowledge, and insisted on promotions sooner than was the norm. I liked my job, I performed well at it and I was rewarded for my efforts. But as time passed, I realized the career, for me, was an empty structure. I knew that a future in it was one where the end would not justify the means. And so a shift began; I started to see life differently, and I started to define success differently. And now I would say I am a gardener, cultivating, planting, harvesting, growing and expanding. My life does feel like an adventure; each day is new and each day holds its own promise.
I think the world needs both builders and gardeners for the growth and progression of the world, though I would hope that all builders eventually make a shift so as not to feel ”hemmed in” or as though their life has no meaning in the end.
:: :: :: ::
New to Joy Discovered? Check back this Wednesday and Friday for re-posts of past articles you may have missed. I will be back next Monday with a new post. Thank you!
Hi Jodi! Like you I was a builder, but I would like to think that I have become a gardener. Lovely article
That’s interesting… I’m not sure which one I’d be, so I liked your answer of “both.”
And this line just stopped me in my tracks when I read it: “Gardeners always recognize one another, because they know that in the history of each plant lies the growth of the whole World.”
There’s something so very powerful in that sentiment.
Thanks for sharing this great perspective on living, Jodi!
And I cannot wait for Wednesday and Friday’s re-posts!
Good morning Jodi!
I hope you’ve had a wonderful weekend. And a very happy Monday to you today!
I just really love this idea of the gardener. That said, am I? I hope that I’m planting seeds, growing them, and being a part of the whole cycle of life. I see it as a circle that just keeps going. And that’s a good place to be.
Not that being a builder is bad, per se. In fact, I think we need builders – people who build up.
You’ve really got me thinking this morning Jodi. (I need more coffee for this!) What am I , really? Or how can I be more like the gardener – which is the thought that just resonates very deeply with me?
Hi Stephen!
Glad to know a fellow gardener! Thank you for your support today!
Hi Megan!
I’m glad this got you thinking, too. There are many places our mind can take us in the meaning of Coelho’s text! Have a wonderful week!
Hi Lance!
My weekend was great! I hope yours was as well. Thank you for the positive Monday sentiments! It is interesting to think through both roles. Last night I kept thinking–can a person really shift from one to the other? Are we really only one or the other for all our lives? And then I thought, is the Tradition referring to builders as those who form a life through their ego, and gardeners as those who live authentically, and so as an extension of source, grow and expand, etc? There are many directions one can go with this! I agree with you that builders are not bad…You’re right, we need more coffee!
Thank you to the three of you for your early morning comments!
hi Jodi,
this was a delightful blog, as always! I enjoy reading each one!
I appreciate the portion that speaks of the garden continuing to grow with the gardener’s constant attention. I believe that ‘constancy’ with anything is possibly one of the most difficult areas to embrace as human beings. Yet, just as was shared above, life returns to the gardener as well, like a hidden blessing.
I believe this goes hand in hand with character. Something that has been in my mind lately, as I’ve been walking this healing journey and I read this somewhere: “we must do what we don’t want to do now, to get what we want later.” I think this touches us all directly and challenges us as a society to take responsibility now, so that we can proudly authorize our own lives! Thank you for the reminder that history of each plant lies the growth of the whole World. Namaste, Blessings ~Sharmila
Every once and a while I read a post that is thought provoking and inspiring to the point of prompting my own writing on this subject… today, this read was that inspiration.
Thank you.
Darren Sproat
Hard to say. In real life I’d have to say I’m a gardener without a green thumb and a builder without opposable digits. In the metaphorical sense–definitely a builder.
I loved the Alchemist as well:)
It’s not the fault of cliches that they become cliches, but this all reminds me of a great one: “It takes all kinds.” Just because it’s gotten said to death doesn’t mean it isn’t true.
Thanks as Always, Jodi. You do great things here.
Take care friend
Josh
Hey there Joylady – What? I have to decide? Geeez. I think since I try to live with balance being the optimum achievement I can accomplish, I would have to say I am a little of both. I LOVE coehlo! You couldn’t have chosen a better excerpt!
hugs
suzen
Hi Jodi,
I think i am both….i would somehow prefer it that way…cause then i get best of both worlds:)
I like the builder in me cause i enjoy working hard on building something and seeing the result. I would like to think that the building project is satisfactory cause it serves other people and therefore lives for ever….
And the Gardner is ever eternal in his thoughts and actions as their gardens do literally live for ever if tended to well.
I guess in both the ways its the effort and hardwork that can make or break.
I love Paul Coelho as well:)
Hi Jodi,
I see builders as sticking to a rigid plan and being attached to an outcome, hurrying on their journey with only the end goal in sight.
Gardeners are builders too but flexible ones, who enjoy the journey and are wise enough to NOT be attached to a certain plan and outcome and who are not working to get to the finish.
I am learning to become a gardener, it seems more fun and more rewarding and more in line what is actually a realistic way of living.
Hi Jodi,
Thank you for talking about Paul Coelho. I’ve wanted to read the Alchemist but just never started it. I think I will now.
I love these comparisons. I hope I am a planter. I think I am, but it’s good to be able to look at both of these types and see where I am in my life. It’s funny, as I think about school starting soon, I wonder if I’m going towards the rat race – but then I remember that I am following my bliss. In a way, I guess going to school itself is part of the rat race, trying to further oneself, but learning is part of that lifelong process. I feel like I’m going for the right reasons, to study about something I love. What I will do with it, I am unsure. Well, guess I’ve sorted that out.
-genny
Hi Jen!
You bring up a great point about constancy—so true that it’s one of the most difficult areas to embrace. Even when we think we have mastered something, we are tested over and over on it. Thank you so much for your supportive and thoughtful comment!
Hi Darren!
I’m so glad you stopped by and read Joy Discovered! I hope to read what this post inspired you to write, soon! Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment!
Hi Josh!
Your friendliness in your comment brings a smile to my day. Thank you for that. I like your sense of humor, too, what with the opposable digits joke. All that aside, I agree with you, it takes all kinds. So glad you stopped by today!
Hi Suzen!
Man, I love the sizzle you bring to all your comments!! I like it that you “try to live with balance being the optimum achievement”–that’s pretty cool. Have you read other books by Coelho besides The Alchemist or Brida? I would love to know which of his books to read next. He is absolutely a wonderful writer. I can’t get enough of him! Hugs to you as well!! Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Zeenat!
Good for you, taking both and wanting the best of both worlds! Your description of the benefits of each is very well-stated. I will have to add that to my own notes. Same goes for you as for Suzen, if you have a recommendation on which Coelho book I should read next, please share!
Thanks so much for your comment!!!
Hi Wilma!
As I mentioned in my email to you, you just completely nailed the meaning in this story (in my humble opinion!). I’m on the same path as you. I have to say, though, that I like Zeenat’s approach to adopting the best qualities of each. May have to rethink my path! Best to you!
Hi Genny!
Oh my goodness, The Alchemist is so good you won’t want to put it down! I hope you enjoy Paulo Coelho as much as I have so far! Let me know what you think! Your thoughts about school and the rat race are interesting. I really think being a builder is a state of mind. I should have mentioned this in my post, but certainly I don’t think that all corporate types or all over-achiever types (or all those seeking a masters degree, in your case) are necessarily builders. It’s a state of mind. I definitely had it. To a certain degree I still do; I probably pursue joy and living my best life a little too hard and sometimes lose site of the journey and the moments, as I focus somewhat frantically on the end goal. I’m not always like this but for me, being a gardener type is a learning process. I love it that going back to school is how you are follow your bliss. I think you are being courageous, especially in that you are not sure yet what will come of it. You love history and so you’re just going for it. That is living! What a beautiful example you are making to the world! Thanks so much for your comment! Happy Birthday!!
oh I LOVE that passage! I see in myself the desire to be a builder-to at one point be DONE. Yet I know I am a plant-constantly growing and changing.
loved this post!