When I visited Paris a few months back, my colleagues were kind enough to take me on a drive to see some of Paris' iconic monuments. We passed by the Notre Dame Cathedral, which is undergoing renovation. I was fascinated by the pure might of it and was reminded of a story of three bricklayers who were asked by the architect what they were doing. Most of you may know the story, so I'll keep it brief: the first bricklayer replied, "I am laying bricks." The second one said, "I am constructing a wall." The third one said, "I am building a cathedral." (The cathedral in this parable is considered to be St Paul’s Cathedral of London, but there are variations relating it to Notre Dame as well.)
This story is usually used to articulate the meaning of a higher purpose. I am drawing yet another message from it - that of high-quality artistry or craftsmanship. The person who was building the cathedral saw the higher purpose, of course, and ensured that he was creatively contributing to it, which ultimately led to a masterpiece. The same trait of artistry could be found in works of wonder such as a symphony, a portrait, a building, a sports car, or even a fine dining experience. All of it starts with a skilled and passionate "bricklayer" giving their best.