ANOTHER BRICK IN THE WALL
I have to admit I still like the old music from Pink Floyd. I know, you’re probably thinking “yeah probably because you like the name.” Uh, No. Not exactly, in fact, can you guess how many times I’ve heard someone say, after learning my name, “Hey, Pink Floyd”!!!–“Ha Ha Ha”!
To say it’s gotten a little old since childhood might be a gross understatement. Being somewhat of a wisenheimer I usually say something with as dry a tone as I can like, “Hey that’s funny, I’ve never heard that before”… It kinda turns the table a bit to allow for my amusement.
To the point, I actually like the old music, it’s timeless to me. Some of my old Pink Floyd favorites are, Dark Side Of The Moon, Wish You Were Here, I’m a little burned out on Money. Not that it was my favorite, but probably their biggest commercial success came with their song Another Brick In The Wall. It’s definitely a catchy tune, no wonder they scored big with it.
The problem is that our society has really come to believe and act as if that song is really the case, with so many of us how can we be special? We’re like bricks in a wall. With around 7 billion people in the world and all the similarities we share in this flesh, it’s easy to see how people have fallen into that trap.
As I sat finishing a late lunch on a patio where I frequent to eat then sometimes write these posts, I gazed at one of the ingredients that make up the atmosphere that draws me to be inspired to write there.
It’s a cozy little patio with only five tables and two of them only seat two people. The overhead canopy is hardly noticeable, the trellis and vines in the planter with trees blooming white flowers behind the wall makes it a comfortable place.
However, it is those surrounding elements that contrast the red brick wall and planter that turn this place into a magical garden. There are thousands of bricks that make up that place, all burnt reddish orange aggregate bricks. Not one of them are the same, each one is similar to be sure, but not one is identical. They are similar enough to stand side by side, staggered top to bottom and perform the task they were designed for.
Maybe the song was right, maybe “All we are is just a–nother brick in the wall.” The bricks aren’t all the same color, similar to the color of our flesh, we all vary from dark to light although that doesn’t keep us from doing the job we were designed to do.
The sizes vary slightly, half of the end bricks and the top course are smaller, they vary like we vary, but in the end perfectly accomplish the task set before them. There are some extra unique bricks in the wall as well. Some of the bricks take on standing water, they look a bit tarnished.
Other bricks have had holes drilled through them in order to let the water pass under those bricks like the true hero’s in our society that have sacrificed their structure and core in order to protect the rest of the bricks in the wall.
I’m thankful for the human hero’s, or what some in our society refer to as just another brick in the wall. Those bricks served the rest of us, without their sacrifice we would have crumbled just like a brick wall.
A brick wall can’t be missing too many of it’s pieces before it collapses. I think we like those bricks, designed by God in order to serve a specific purpose might look the same, but we are unique all unto ourselves to serve and assist one another in the brick wall of life.
I find beauty in a simple brick wall, thank goodness the bricks don’t have a mind of their own. The bricks like many of us would be disobedient to the Heavenly brick layer, He would use the obedient bricks, us the believers to show the world how amazing, strong, and organized we are in cooperation with God to do the task He’s designed us for.
In our intelligence maybe we should consider it a blessing to be “as dumb as a brick”—in the wall…
patty
Friday, February 11, 2011 @ 10:19 am
Floyd,
I like the old music better too! i don’t no where you think up all this but you are really good at it
And you have so much to say . what you say is very interesting makes people think . see you at the gym.
Floyd
Friday, February 11, 2011 @ 12:41 pm
Sometimes I might say too much! Thanks for the compliment, see you soon!
Tammy
Friday, February 11, 2011 @ 2:27 pm
I read this before leaving for work this morning, and subsequently had the song in my head for the first part of the day! ;D
Yep–I’ve never met a person who looks/smells/talks the same as anyone else. Think about how creative God has to be in order to think up billions of us, and not one of us is the same as anyone else.
Floyd
Friday, February 11, 2011 @ 5:21 pm
Great point! I guess we come by our creative likeness honestly! You have to know the song’s been stuck in my head as well…
Tammy
Friday, February 11, 2011 @ 6:02 pm
Hehe..I kept trying to put other lyrics to it, like: “All in all you’re a, child of the Lord God…”
I couldn’t come up with anything that sounded cooler… 😉
Floyd
Friday, February 11, 2011 @ 9:31 pm
Your mind is going to take us to places we’ve never dreamed of!!! I can so relate to how you think it’s scary! You my friend are a perfect spring day! If you don’t do a video singing it I’m gonna call you chickin!
Tammy
Sunday, February 13, 2011 @ 3:13 pm
Hehe–that’s only because I have the mind of Christ! (1 Cor. 2:16)
I’m going to go ahead and let you call me chicken! lol
Floyd
Sunday, February 13, 2011 @ 3:29 pm
I was trying to represent a southern accent when I called you a “chickin” I guess I should have spelled it “chikun”! Either way that’s your official title! (for today only) You write boldly for our cause. Hope you had a great anniversary!
Bt
Friday, February 11, 2011 @ 6:49 pm
I fully understand your point and your comparison of bricks to humans. But humans have the ability to contribute to humanity where a brick is only a structural element. Humans can (if they chose) act as tiny pebbles, dropped in to a pool of water, causing ripples that merge to form a great wave. Combined human intent is worth more than the sum of its parts.
All of us posses the ability to channel love and kindness into postive energy, to heal and help others. Just as you are doing with your writings!! But few us do it …. to many of us are just a structural element in the wall of life. You are a unique brick 🙂
Floyd
Friday, February 11, 2011 @ 9:17 pm
Very well said Sir, I bet it’s not a big surprise for you to find out that this isn’t the first time someone has called me a brick! Great words Bruce, very thought provoking which is very mentally stimulating for me. Thanks
Jennifer
Friday, February 11, 2011 @ 8:30 pm
What an interesting analogy! And a great reminder–that my purpose is not the same as someone else’s, and I need to trust my Maker. Thanks for sharing!
Floyd
Friday, February 11, 2011 @ 9:21 pm
Thanks for stopping over Jennifer, I have to say you’ve been “Tearin’ it up lately over at your post. Strong but gentle words, quite a gift. One of your many “purposes” would be my guess. Keep up the inspirational work.
April
Saturday, February 12, 2011 @ 8:00 am
This is actually something our church has been discussing a lot since we started; finding our place in the body. We are all different and unique and have a different place to be and serve in. Good post!
Floyd
Saturday, February 12, 2011 @ 3:32 pm
Chist is the cornerstone, the strong foundation that supports all He’s called us to in this life, anywhere that He is supporting us to be is the place for us. I know you’ve found yours!
Holly
Saturday, February 12, 2011 @ 10:42 am
Where is this little patio that has evoked such profound thoughts?
Floyd
Saturday, February 12, 2011 @ 3:40 pm
I was wondering if anyone was going to ask! It’s Eastwind on the southeast corner of Tatum and Thunderbird, it use to be Tokyo Express, I should have taken a picture of it. I love it because I’m usually the only one on the patio, I sit at the table furthest to the north on the patio, I think I’m going to carve my initials into the table! (just kidding)
kris
Saturday, February 12, 2011 @ 5:12 pm
Beautiful Floyd, it’s great to be able to find beauty in a brick wall, I wonder what would happen if you sat in a botanical garden every week, your brain might explode!!! it’s good to have a new blog to read, thanks for the love!
Floyd
Saturday, February 12, 2011 @ 6:26 pm
I was just over at your blogs, I followed your entire trip, dropped by Mels, tried to leave her a comment to no avail. Read your personal blog and found some great insight. What a delight to find you were here while I was at yours. I don’t know if there’s enough inside my head to explode!
Tammy
Sunday, February 13, 2011 @ 8:50 pm
Ha–you can call me “chickin!”
We went to BJs and had a great time!
Floyd
Sunday, February 13, 2011 @ 9:49 pm
Good for you, have a great week, look forward to your posts this week. I look forward to each day, a lesson I’m learning from you…