As children and young adults, we learn about special places in the world, some in the United States and some abroad. We have all likely read about and seen pictures of, if not visited, places like the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, the Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls, Big Ben in London, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Coliseum in Rome, the Parthenon in Athens, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy.
Two weeks ago, my husband and I had the privilege of visiting the town of Pisa and seeing the famous Leaning Tower. A friend had told me before my visit that I should not expect too much and that I might be disappointed. But I had the opposite reaction upon actually seeing the Tower. I was excited to be there, as the Tower, which I had previously seen only in pictures, and which I never thought I would see in person, was right before me. The Tower is not that tall, nor is it a spectacularly beautiful building from an architectural point of view. There is nothing inside, other than a narrow winding staircase leading to the top of the building, and yet several million people annually visit Pisa to take pictures of the Tower, and many climb the steps to the top. I thought a lot about this as I was taking my own pictures and feeling so delighted to be able to see the Tower up-close and personal. What is its attraction?
Upon reflection, I realized that there are many lessons that one can learn from this unusual building! The Tower’s incline was of course unintentional, the result of a miscalculation made in the early stages of its construction due to the soft ground being unable to support the structure’s weight at its foundation. (It was solidified much later to prevent further tilting.) Yet, this “error,” this “imperfection,” has transformed an otherwise unremarkable tower into a world-renowned icon. From one perspective, it stands as a reminder that perfection is not always the path to recognition or success. Our own flaws, mistakes and defects are what shape us, make us unique, and often, they can be turned into our greatest strengths and serve as tremendous sources of inspiration. Nobody is perfect, but If we can accept our own and other people’s shortcomings and instead of seeing deficiencies, see opportunities for achieving positive things, we will be able to appreciate what makes us and those around us unique and special.
When those responsible for the Tower realized that it was indeed leaning, they altered the construction plans to accommodate this unexpected challenge. We too sometimes have plans for ourselves and for our children, but we often need to modify them in the face of difficulties; the ability to adapt to new and sometimes unexpected realities is a critical skill not just in architecture, but in life as well.
Despite its flawed foundation and its tilt, the Tower of Pisa has remained standing for over eight centuries, weathering wars, earthquakes and countless storms. This fact exemplifies the virtue of perseverance and resilience, which we would all do well to emulate when the odds seem stacked against us. In our lives, we each face our own set of challenges and adversities; the Tower reminds us that with determination and resilience, they can in fact be overcome.
Moreover, the Tower of Pisa has provided invaluable lessons for architects and builders about the importance of a proper foundation and the impact of soil composition on building structures. Our mistakes and failures can similarly be our greatest teachers, providing the impetus to grow, learn and improve. Embracing a growth mindset—viewing challenges and difficulties as opportunities to learn—can lead to personal and professional development.
Efforts to completely stabilize the Leaning Tower of Pisa didn’t begin until hundreds of years after its initial construction. Through careful engineering and preservation work, the incline was partially corrected, ensuring the tower’s longevity. This lesson too is especially poignant in our lives. It is never too late to change course, make amends, or correct a mistake. Instead of merely regretting past errors, we can focus on the steps necessary to make things right.
As I walked away from the Tower, I realized that the Leaning Tower of Pisa is much more than an architectural wonder; it is a testament to human ingenuity, resilience, and the beauty of imperfection. It embodies the power of turning mistakes into amazing, lasting opportunities. I am thrilled to have had the chance to see the Tower and take in the lessons that it taught me.
Beth S. (Bassie) Taubes, RN, CHC, CYT, is the owner of Wellness Motivations LLC. She motivates clients of all backgrounds, ages, and health conditions to engage in improved self-care through nutritional counseling, personal fitness training, yoga practice, breath training tai chi, and stress reduction techniques. She is also the rebbetzin of Congregation Zichron Mordechai in Teaneck. She can be reached at [email protected] and wellnessmotivationsbt.com.
