Love & Commitment from the Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and its construction over 390 years ago tells us much about conviction and commitment. The true story goes that Mughal emperor Shah Jahan who masterminded this marvel was very much in love. Sadly, her wife died in 1631 and the emperor committed himself to the construction of a monument the likes of which the world had never seen. The Taj Mahal would be a symbol of his devotion to and adoration of his wife, one so extravagantly sensational, staggeringly inspirational and structurally exceptional that all onlookers would understand the depth of this man’s affection as they experienced all its splendor.

Seeing the Taj Mahal isn’t just an excursion of the intellect. It’s also a resurrection of the spirit. It wakes even the numbest person up to what we, as human creatures, can produce. But to continue, once the maharaja set his bold intention, his workers started the process of translating that lofty vision into a definite reality. Ambition without implementation is a ridiculous delusion. Mastery isn’t a sudden event. It really is a ceaseless process that may take years of painstaking craftsmanship, practice, sacrifice and suffering before the finished project intensifies to a level that moves the world

For twenty-two years—not twenty-two days and not twenty-two months—twenty-two years, over twenty thousand workers toiled in the scorching Indian sun. Block of marble by block of marble carried from immense distances by over one thousand elephants, the army of craftsmen steadily erected the structure you’re seeing. They faced architectural roadblocks, environmental extremes, and unexpected tragedies along the journey. Yet, they were focused, fearless and relentless, dazzlingly committed to doing whatever it took to get the emperor’s gorgeous dream done. Humankind was given one of the greatest products of poetic audacity it has ever received.

The Taj Mahal is such a direct metaphor to consider about staying with a commitment to a new habit through whatever hardships show up. And remaining sincere to your ideals not only in the seasons of comfort but especially when it all gets terrifically difficult.

               –        Adapted from the book, “The 5am Club” by Robin Sharma