You Are the Architectural Wonder Behind the Scaffold

My first visit to Hong Kong, I was mesmerized by the scaffolding of the buildings. The kind of scaffolding that, like a web, surrounds another structure like a parasite. The kind that climbs thousands of feet into the sky like a wild vine. The kind that appears to be made of the flimsiest of materials (in Hong Kong it’s made of bamboo, which more resembles toothpicks from the ground), and yet, it must be strong enough to support the hardhat wearing florescent specks scurrying around it.

The iconic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris is currently shrouded by metalwork as it undergoes repairs from the fire damage it suffered in 2019. The infamously unfinished La Familia Sagrada in Barcelona has donned scaffolding as part of its architecture since construction began in 1882.

Scaffolding serves a very specific purpose.

It’s a temporary, yet complex network of supports which make it possible to construct, repair, erect, create, reinforce or restore the edifice residing within.

The main building, the product of artistic design, architecture and engineering, is what holds the primary value. That which is obscured by the scaffolding is the main feature, the focal point, the structure that is intended to last.

In constructing our sense of self, we too require a complex network of supports as we erect, restore and revise our inner structure. Like scaffolding, these supports exist on the outside, and consist of external input, influence, or reinforcement.

We can think of it as social scaffolding: The validation we get from “likes” on social media, the sense of purpose…

…we gain from our work, the gratification of being romantically or sexually pursued, the material possessions (eg. car, clothes, accessories, etc.) we surround ourselves with, the situational relationships that help sustain us.

These external influences and supports are generally designed to be temporary and transitional. Yet they make it possible to create, build and repair what resides within.

The “real” work of art ~ the Familia Sagrada, the Notre Dame, the world’s next record breaking skyscraper.

The main structure.

The true edifice.

The inside self.

The who-we-really-are part of us.

This may consist of aspects of our self like our core values, personal experiences, beliefs and intuitions.

It is not a competition between internal versus external, or of one being better than the other. It is an interactive and interdependent process. The development of the inside self evolves over time and calls for a unique combination of supports.

External relationships, accomplishments, reinforcements, and accolades support the process, but they are not the internal structure itself. They may have an influence, but are not who we truly are.

Just as the metal (or bamboo) exoskeleton surrounds an architectural wonder, the objective of our external supports is that when the scaffolding is removed, the structure within it will sustain on its own with integrity.

In the absence of social validation or work accolades, are you still standing with confidence?

When your friend doesn’t immediately respond to your text, or your post doesn’t get as much attention as you anticipate, or you can’t yet afford something you’ve been wanting to buy, or you’re not losing those last ten pounds as quickly as you’d hoped, do you still feel you have a sense of self-worth?

To be safe and effective, the quality, dependability and integrity of the scaffolding is also critical.

Does it consist of safe, healthy and high quality support and reinforcements?

What/Who is the source of the compliments, accolades or validation you seek? It doesn’t need to be fancy, expensive or revered, but is it reliable and credible? (Bamboo makes surprisingly sturdy scaffolding!)

Appreciate the scaffolding for it’s design and purpose. However, don’t neglect to maintain the primary structure, the evolving masterpiece, within it. The lion’s share of your time, energy and focus should reflect accordingly. The scaffolding supports the maintenance, but may fluctuate and fade over time. The authentic edifice of your inner self is the true architectural wonder and will be what remains.

What does your scaffold (source of support, external validation, etc) consist of?
Who are you beneath this scaffold? How would you describe the primary edifice within?
How can you best utilize the scaffolding to strengthen, enhance, and promote your true self?
What happens when part of the scaffolding is removed? Do you trust the integrity of the inner structure/ the inside self?
In what ways can you experiment with aspects of the scaffold to reinforce your inner sustainability?

You Are the Architectural Wonder Behind the Scaffold

…we gain from our work, the gratification of being romantically or sexually pursued, the material possessions (eg. car, clothes, accessories, etc.) we surround ourselves with, the situational relationships that help sustain us.

What does your scaffold (source of support, external validation, etc) consist of?

Who are you beneath this scaffold? How would you describe the primary edifice within?

How can you best utilize the scaffolding to strengthen, enhance, and promote your true self?

What happens when part of the scaffolding is removed? Do you trust the integrity of the inner structure/ the inside self?

In what ways can you experiment with aspects of the scaffold to reinforce your inner sustainability?