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We are prone to ignore what cannot be seen... the intangibles.

We marvel at the grandiosity of the Taj Mahal, the Empire State Building, the unique architecture of our very own 'durian' Esplanade. While we stand in awe at the magnificence of their superstructure - the distinctive shape, height, design, etc - the most important element, the substrcture which enables the buildings to stand firm and maintain its magnificence, is entirely ignored - because it is completely unseen.

In life, we gravitate toward the visible and the spectacular - our accomplishments, stellar academic grades, overstuffed portfolio with recorded achievements and experiences, etc. Some get themselves overly stressed in order to add one more fresh coat of glittery paint over the walls of the building.

Though gratifying, this outward superstructure is however not where our primary energies should be expended. It is in the substructure, the unseen foundation, that our true strength lies.

Who we are, what we do when no one sees, form the substructure of our life.

With the right foundation that is firm, deep and stalwart, the structures will hold together firmly, and the superstructures can then rise to great heights without peril. Even if one desires to live simply and not aim to be the world's tallest superstructure, building a firm substrcture ensures a foundation that will withstand immense stress and strain for the building, tall or short, ensuring the safty of its occupants in times of stormy weathers, tsunamis and earthquakes.

Built upon the substructure are the structures - the supporting beams and columns - which fit together to form the framework around which the facade and usable floor area are built. These structures are the areas that we need to guard in our personal life. Time with family. Time with kindered-spirit friends. Time to unwind. Without these in the proper places, the building would be a haphazard jumble of awkward planes and dead spaces.

The superstructure represents the outward accomplishments of our life. It is built by competence and skill, with excellence. It is worthy only when the substructure is solid and the surface structures are set in place. For it is upon these that the strength, beauty and permanance of the superstructure depend.

Likewise in a tree, the roots are often unseen... but they're the very parts of the tree that holds itself up as the tree continues to grow tall and majestic.

You can train very hard in a skill... but if you are not well versed in the foundations, you may improve through rigourous training, but you may never find your form.

Who are you...? What do you do when no one sees you... are you one prone to taking short cuts? Or do you appear cordial in front of others and yet you're really someone who's cursing everyone away and stabbing people in the back? Do you partake in vices when no one's looking? What's your life built upon? Do you have personal values... what are they based upon?

What have you been spending the most time and conscious effort in building - the substructure, the structures or the superstructure of your life? Why?

What should you be focused on building at this point of time? If the building has to proceed concurrently in all 3 areas, which is the area that is of most concern to you? How can you allocate your resources (time)... How can you build in this area?

"Do you wish to be great? Then begin by being. Do you desire to construct a vast and lofty fabric? Think first about the foundations of humility. The higher your structure is to be, the deeper must be its foundation." - Saint Augustine

"The foundation stones for a balanced success are honesty, character, integrity, faith, love and loyalty." - Zig Ziglar

Adapted from:
Chan, E. (2008). Mentoring Paradigms - Reflections on Mentoring, Leadership and Discipleship. Singapore: CEFC.