Pyramids

Call it a whim, or silliness, or craziness...

During Kairos last Sunday, we were asked to build a pyramid of cards (without anything else) in one of the games. 3 triangles at the base, and 3 levels high.
Only 5 people managed to form a complete pyramid. Everyone else, including myself, couldn't balance the cards to form the pyramids. Some groaned in frustration, others exclaimed that it was an impossible task. Maybe it was because our arms were still shaky from the 40 push ups we'd done prior to it, maybe we weren't doing it right, or maybe it was impossible. But 5 people managed it... it couldn't be impossible, right?

So... last night, after completing some work, I took out a pack of cards.
And started building.
Not to prove to others, but to prove to myself...
that it wasn't an impossible task... that I could build a 3-stack pyramid.
No glue, no tape, no adhesives, just plain playing cards stacked against one another.

At first, the cards kept falling over.
Then, I realised something... and found a little strategy when building the pyramids.
I completed my first 3-stack pyramid, and grinned in triumph :)
So, why not try a 4-stack pyramid next? Then 5-stack? 6?
One and 3/4 hours (and exactly 100 cards) later...
I completed my first 8-stack pyramid (8 triangles at the base, and 8 levels high)
Yes! *little triumphant smile*

Karen also came in and looked at the pyramid with an amused grin. It reminded her of a character in 'Hunter-hunter' (a Japanese anime), who often built card pyramids to repress his urge to kill other people (probably because it required him to concentrate on something other than his murderous desires).

I found that mildly disturbing :) No, I'm not feeling 'murderous' at the moment, but building the pyramids has reminded me of a few things...


Consistency -
All the cards had to be about the same height, so that each level would be straight. The triangles of cards also had to be approximately the same size, to ensure stability and balance. When all the cards were placed properly, I could actually press down gently from the top, and the structure would hold and remain steady. However, if some of the cards were placed in a slip-shod manner, each triangle may still stand up, but the structure would be weakened in that section, and that area would be more likely to collapse.
- It's the same thing in life, we need to be consistent, for if there are any 'slip-shod' areas in our lives, these would be weak points that could crumble first under pressure.

The Bigger Picture -
Know what you're working towards, how many triangles are needed, and how each little section contributes to completing the whole structure.
- With an aim in mind, there's something to work towards, and an increasing anticipation as you get closer to completing that goal.

Patience -
Taking things step by step. One triangle at a time, and one row at a time, till you get to the top level.
- One short term goal at a time, to get to the long-term goal.

Focus and Concentration -
- On the task at hand.

Perseverance -
If some cards fall over, pick them up and continue building. Indulge in an occasional winge (but not too often :)
- Don't give up that easily... Try, try, again (and of course, know when to stop...)

Stability -
The foundations need to be stable. The larger the pyramid, and higher up you build, the greater the need for stability at the base. Otherwise, the risk of toppling increases.
- As in life, the higher up we proceed, our foundations need to be stronger and more stable to hold up against the pressure, and to prevent us from crumbling.

Gentleness and Care -
When stacking the cards, you can't be rough, otherwise some cards could be knocked over.
- Similarly, we need to be aware of the fragility of some things in our lives, such as friendships, and handle them with gentleness and care.

Support -
Each card supports another card.
- If we support one another, we will be stronger, and we can aim higher. For in unity, there is strength.

Application of Knowledge -
There was actually quite a bit of physics involved... balance, centre of gravity, resolution of forces, friction, pressure...
- The importance of the things we learn, seeing how they apply to different situations, therefore picking up little tricks along the way to complete a task more efficiently.

Risk -
The more levels you build, the higher the risk that it may topple. The taller they are, the harder they fall.
Also, the bigger the structure, the greater the cost (more time and effort). The more time and effort you put into building up something, the greater your desire that it wouldn't topple, and the harder you work at trying to ensure that it doesn't.

Procrastination -
When procrastinating, you can do the weirdest things... :)


Thought of building a 9 - storey pyramid too, but I'll need another pack of cards for that (3 packs of the same size), and another opportunity to procrastinate... I think I know where to get the cards, and the opportunity isn't that hard to find :)

Surprisingly, the card pyramid is actually still standing in the middle of my room. I've been opening my doors really slowly, as well as walking past very carefully to avoid toppling it. I can't bear to knock it over ('Doosh', to quote Kev :) ... yet, I've got this imp-ish urge to run and bowl it over...

Ah well, I've got a photo of the pyramid, it's getting in the way of things, and it's probably going to topple sooner or later anyway. So...

Wheeeeee!
*Crash*

I did say I was good at discrediting myself... :)