Did you hear the story last year about the monolith that appeared and disappeared in the Utah desert?

While at first many believed it to be aliens, the logical answer was that it was an artistic installation. We may chalk it up to another wacky incident during a unique year, but if we dig a little deeper we can understand why statues like that stop us in our tracks (like the one I felt compelled to stand in front of for this photo).

The common definition of monolith is “a single great stone often in the form of an obelisk or column,” but an additional definition is “an organized whole that acts as a single unified powerful or influential force.” Is it no wonder we are drawn to these towering structures?

The giant size–at least of some of them–makes you stop and think about ways to bring perspective to our challenges, especially in comparison to larger concerns around us.

What influencers in your life make you stop and see perspective?