Builders Among Us

By Carl Woolston

I once went hiking with a group of guys on a trail that led to a great waterfall.

We’d heard that as you got to the waterfall, in order to see it up close, you had to do a steep climb down to the river in the canyon. We were planning for that and we were ready.

When we got there, to our surprise, the last group had left a rope. They’d tied a good mountain-climbing rope to a tree at the top. We simply used that to lower ourselves down.

We took a good look at the waterfall. We left the rope when we were ready to leave.

Who knows how many people had used that rope since its owner left it behind? How many people have used it after us?

Also, how many people took that trail and didn’t leave a rope for others?

That rope was left behind by someone with a builder mentality.

A builder asks “What will others need? What can I build? How can I achieve something that gives back? How do I contribute and influence? What is needed and how do I fill it?”

Whoever left that rope made that day much easier for us.

We all enjoy the fruits of builders: the homes we live in, the freeways we drive on, the bridges we cross, the freedoms and luxuries we enjoy.

We can all be builders, and that mentality starts with our families and other close relationships. We can also build businesses and other projects that serve the needs of others. How about the community in which we live?

Are we leaving a trail that others would want to follow? Are we leaving a legacy worth pursuing or something that contributes to society?

Over the next several weeks, I’m going to post a number of blog articles that talk about three key principles that every person needs in their life if they want to be a productive human being — either in their relationships, families, business or society.

To the extent that these principles are followed, you will recognize builders and become one yourself.