We walked toward the pagoda and noticed a pile of bricks—a big pile.

There was a sign in front of the bricks. Unfortunately, it was written in Vietnamese, which I don’t read, speak, or understand at all.

Thankfully, we were accompanied by some Vietnamese-speaking friends who translated.

The sign asks visitors to carry a brick or two up the long, steep steps to the temple on top of the hill. The bricks are being used for the continued construction of the building at the top.

The bricks are making their way up the hill one step at a time. There’s another big pile up top where visitors drop them off.

What a great way to get the work done. I carried two bricks, one in each hand, as did my wife and the other two members of our party. Eight more bricks made it to the top that afternoon.

What Can We Learn?

I walk through life trying to figure out ways to turn these experiences into blog posts. I search for the lesson in each of these moments.

The monks figured out a way to get something done that needed doing. They did it in a way that allowed us to feel that we’d been helpful. They used a resource that would have otherwise gone to waste. It’s genius.

I’ve been racking my brain for a way to use this story to be helpful to you. I haven’t figured it out yet.

But there’s something. It’s too good an idea not to pass on. I love how they’re taking advantage of an otherwise wasted resource. I love how they’ve given us a chance to be useful.

Maybe you’ll put it to work for you in your life or your business. If so, share it with me on Facebook or Twitter. There’s something there. It’s just going to take some help from people like you.