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Home » Parenting » Mount Rushmore Lessons

Mount Rushmore Lessons

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Teamwork, planning are only 2 of the things Mt. Rushmore can teach us.

A visit to Mount Rushmore provides many lessons.

I  grew up in South Dakota and have visited Mount Rushmore many times. Whether you agree that a mountain should be carved up for a monument or not, there is a lot to learn from visiting Mt. Rushmore.

1. Plan

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First, it is an amazing feat. The beauty of the mountains and the carving are awe-inspiring. It is stunning to look at the carving and imagine the amount of planning and effort it took to make it happen. Possibly more amazing is when you drive on nearby Iron Mountain Road there are several tunnels that perfectly frame Mt. Rushmore. Both carving the mountain and planning the road took a great deal of planning. 

2. Stay Flexible

Washington In Final Draft

If you visit the exhibit hall at Mt. Rushmore you will see several models of the carving. One of the interesting things about this is that the models are different than the actual carving. Notice in the picture of the Rushmore model there are buttons below Washington’s lapel. There are no buttons in the final carving. Gutzon Borglum, the chief sculptor behind Mt. Rushmore, planned Washington’s coat one way, but in the final carving it is different.

 

mt rushmore lincoln

 

Jefferson’s and Lincoln’s hands are prominent in the model, but no hands are visible in the actual carving. According to the exhibit, the granite in the mountain did not have the integrity to maintain the carving of the rest of the structure. Even though Borglum had planned and made several models, he did not stay wedded to his plan; he was flexible and adapted to the conditions.

Federal funding was pulled and the mountain was declared done before Borglum’s full vision was completed. It could have more closely matched his models, but someone else declared it done. We never know when our time will be up on a project or when our lives will end. Borglum did not live to see the carving declared finished.

3. Have a Vision that is Bigger Than One Person

One person could not have carved Mt. Rushmore. It took fourteen years and 400 people using dynamite and jackhammers to carve the mountain. Borglum died in March 1941 and the project was not finished until October 1941. Borglum’s son Lincoln oversaw the completion of the project. There are many things that one person alone cannot do. Sometimes we quit a project before we start because we cannot do it alone and we lack the time or skills. We know raising a child takes a village. Other pursuits may take a village too. Don’t stop your dream before you start. Seeing the carving challenged me to envision something that was more than I could do alone.

4.  Ask for Help

Asking for help can be a good thing.  Borglum was the artist, but according to the history of Mount Rushmore the vision actually started with historian Doane Robinson, who envisioned a huge attraction that would draw people from all over the world to the Black Hills. Robinson envisioned Wild West heroes, but Borglum convinced him that presidents should be the subject of the carvings. It’s just another example of working together and being flexible. When Borglum needed help raising money, Senator Peter Norbeck stepped in with a plan. Norbeck and many other people worked together to convince President Coolidge to support and fund the project, which you can read about here. If not for these concerted efforts, we would not have this amazing feat of engineering and art.

Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills are beautiful and inspiring in many ways. Having a vision gives life purpose. What inspires you to dream big? Who can help you achieve your big dream?

mt rushmore 1

Hi, I’m Tamara the creator of Empowered Single Moms, a single mom, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) and the author of Thriving a Single Mom’s Guide to a Happy, Positive Life and Thriving a Single Mom Journal. I have a solo private psychotherapy practice where I treat anxiety, depression, and relationship issues.

As a member of the Empowered Single Moms community, I believe you can stop carrying the weight of the world alone and build a life you love. Join my mailing list and get 5 Keys to Single Mom Success.

 

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ashley Freligh

    September 29, 2016 at 7:06 pm

    As a parent, “asking for help” is something I personally struggle with. It might not take 400 people to make it through the day, but if I’m struggling I need to learn to ask for help.

    Reply
    • parenting2homekids.com

      September 29, 2016 at 9:44 pm

      I think asking for help is something many of us struggle with, but it helps me to remember I can not be all things to my children.

      Reply
    • Bubbie

      December 15, 2016 at 8:05 am

      Heckuva good job. I sure aptpeciare it.

      Reply
      • parenting2homekids.com

        December 15, 2016 at 4:39 pm

        I am glad you enjoyed it.

        Reply
  2. Istvan

    October 13, 2016 at 11:48 pm

    Thanks extremely helpful. Will certainly share site with my good
    friends. http://tinyurl.com/jjl3tn9

    Reply
    • parenting2homekids.com

      October 14, 2016 at 4:21 pm

      I am glad you found it helpful.

      Reply
  3. Caelii

    December 15, 2016 at 7:58 am

    Which came first, the problem or the sonuoitl? Luckily it doesn’t matter.

    Reply
    • parenting2homekids.com

      December 15, 2016 at 4:40 pm

      Interesting question, Cailii

      Reply

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