Hey dear readers in this post I will talk about architecture and design. But this one about something that resurrected from its own ashes. I’m not talking about the Phoenix that has risen but I’m talking about a famous monument. Indeed I recently spent an amazing time in France to see my family especially in my hometown Amiens. I haven’t been there for more than 2 years so I took this opportunity not just to enjoy quality time with my loved ones. But to put my trainers on for a run. Of course in a way to be at my best and present to cherish this moment. Combined with a digital detox to maximize my presence.
I ran a 16k in my hometown popping up at my former grandma’s house to remember myself a lot of memories. I was heading to a famous landmark in the town centre which is the Cathedral Notre Dame of Amiens. Running with an amazing sunrise and peaceful and quiet streets. But in this article I will not talk about this Cathedral. I spent the rest of my stay at my mum’s in near Provins in Paris region. So I decided to go for a visit of Notre Dame of Paris.
I’ve got the opportunity to visit the monument because the monument has been closed for 5 years. 5 years to take for cleaning and restore the architecture and rebuilding its roof and spire. The Cathedral is now reopened for visit with even more beauty, colours and brightness. My visit led me to reflect on myself and my vision for the future. I want to share my insights in this post regarding my visit and the lessons we can draw for our lives from the reconstruction.
In the middle of the blaze
I heard so many times in podcasts that our bodies are Temples. We are all builders of our own Temples in improving ourselves each day. From physical transformation, to seeking knowledge or pursuing our goals and ambitions. We often find challenges on our ways to guide us toward the best. When I look back at the fire and the consequences I think about how hectic our lives can be. Where sometimes a lot of things going on at the same time. When facing uncertainty and that was the case with Notre Dame’s fire. The stability of the building and also if the fire would spread further were uncertain. In time of crisis the secret is to remain Stoic!
I found myself like so many people in the middle of a fire in my life. When my life was crumbling and everything seemed destroyed. You know what I have a good news for you! We always bounce back in an even better version of ourselves! Often leads us to beautiful destinations. One of my personal examples is when I had a severe flu for a month and lost a lot of weight. My body was aching and felt so sick like never before.
The most significant event during my recovery period was my trip to Tenerife where I started being aware to take the first step for my self improvement journey. This is what I was reflecting when I was admiring the newly restored splendid colours inside Notre Dame. But also the whiteness of the cleaned walls and the repaired gaping hole at the ceiling like nothing happened and of course even more Beautiful!
The 5 years deadline
I was also picturing the destruction and chaos after the fire and how they started the cleaning as a first step. I indeed started a soul cleansing by meditation, journaling leading a an emotional healing to get rid of old patterns. It took a long time for me to build new habits leading me to more productivity and success. I always seen myself as someone destined to do great things in my life about my writings and now coaching. And for me the first step to take is to cultivate self belief in the value we can bring.
Believing we are destined for greatness with little wins everyday. Because whatever you say about yourself even for joking is building your reality and write your own history. You also build your Temple in this way. Some doubts can be obstacles for better things. So let me tell you that Notre Dame reconstruction’s deadline for a reopening in 5 years was perceived as unachievable or impossible. It seemed impossible to rebuild Notre Dame in 5 years.
Why am I talking about the 5 years deadline here? Because a 5 years deadline is my projection for the future. I have a vision of being a fulltime coach and blogger, travelling the world, competing for an ironman triathlon, spend more quality time with friends and family visiting them or visiting me. I can see myself more present online talking about wellbeing and high performance on Instagram or Youtube. And also having a partner where I can share my life with.
I don’t want to talk about politics here but there’s an interesting sentence the French President said to journalists on the 5 years deadline. “If you doubt it’s already over” and remembering when he said we will rebuild Notre Dame even more beautiful when the fire was still raging.
Unity and community
What laid the foundations and the success of this 5 year deadline’s reconstruction is unity. Not only national unity in France but way beyond the borders. People from around the globe had donated for the reconstruction. Workers from around the world offered their help and service to make it happen. Also to learn the traditional medieval techniques of construction. A community of workers that even became a family no matter their beliefs or backgrounds was pivotal for the achievement. Even rival competitors companies worked hand by hand like a family.
Where there is unity there is always victory (Publius Syrus)
When people are united we can achieve great things and we humans are capable to raise challenges with the power of community.
Alone we can do little, together we can do so much (Helen Keller)
Surround yourself with people who will uplift and challenge you to intrinsically put you on the move. Inspired by the quality of people I’ve met with 2blimitless personally gives me faith in Humanity. Not just to put me on the move as a blogger and as a coach but also as a better man in all areas of my life. Because self-development industry is fast growing and it unites people from different nationalities, religions, straights, gays, skin colours… Inclusion is the foundations so no foundations by accepting people as they are it won’t work at all. Learning from the diversity of people is so important to me.
Walking in the greatness and splendor
Walking around inside the Cathedral with so many tourists from around the world reflects the universality of Notre Dame. Strolling in the middle of the whitish pillars gazing at the ceiling made me think about humility. Humility in the small actions leading to the bigger picture of my vision in the future. I was in admiration for the work they’ve done and their commitment. Not all the process was rosy but what impressed me the most is how this work of the Century (as they call it in France) was the fruits of unity and community.
I love comparing this restoration of Notre Dame as I’m building my own temple for my future. To be physically fit and building your desire future with a vision. Because anything started by a vision. We human being are temples with our memories, stories, patterns… We can change all of these to build a new self. To wrap up this post I would be interested to hear about you!
- What patterns within yourself needs to change to put you on the move?
- What’s your relation with community of people?
- Who do you need to become in order to build your desired future?
- What’s your values that can lead you to build your future?
- What’s your daily small wins?
Thank you very much and see you soon!
