Do you have many bridges in your part of the world?
Since I live near the Columbia River we drive over the bridge often. In fact, my church is in Washington State and we must cross the river to get there. I don't mind. I am a water girl at heart; so I love seeing the water. I love the views from the bridge. We can see the surrounding mountains and trees, even a couple islands in the middle of the river.
The first three pictures were taken on a stormy day driving north to visit my sister-in-law. We must cross at least 5 bridges to get there. In winter we can see the snow on the mountains surrounding the water. It is beautiful with each season.
I have a friend that won't come to visit me because she is afraid to drive over the water, to cross the bridge.
Fear cheats her of having a cup of tea with me here. Does fear sometimes cheat you or me to step out and do scary things? This isn't where I thought I would be going with this post, but now I am thinking "what do I cheat myself of because of fear?" How can we uphold those around us when they need a friend to hold their hand and walk with them? How can I overcome fear and cross that bridge?
A bridge allows us to move forward in places we could never have imagined. Where fear keeps us isolated and unable to grow.
How do we take the next step?
Bridge over Troubled Water
When you're weary
Feeling small
When tears are in your eyes
I'll dry them all
I'm on your side
Oh, when times get rough
And friends just can't be found
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
When you're down and out
When you're on the street
When evening falls so hard
I will comfort you
I'll take your part
Oh, when darkness comes
And pain is all around
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Sail on silver girl
Sail on by
Your time has come to shine
All your dreams are on their way
See how they shine
Oh, if you need a friend
I'm sailing right behind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco
Crossing the bridge to get to the other side.
What does it bring on the other side?
Growth
Joy
New Adventures
Progress, moving forward
Today I had to chat with my doctor on a zoom call because the snow prohibited me from traveling to my appointment. My doctor wanted me to take care of some things I didn't want to do. I had hoops to jump to do them, phone calls to make. I just said "Ugh" I don't want to do this, but I moved forward, baby steps, but growing, good for me steps. Some days just are like that, we don't want to do the hard things or cross that bridge to do the scary things. So progress was made and I grew. Now onto the next thing and to eventually face the JOY and the growth.
It is sort of crazy isn't it? Some days life and hard things get in the way.
We can overcome the fear and grow.
Not meant to be a downer, just a reminder if we push through the hard things we can smile and pat ourselves on the back.
Here's to moving forward and facing our fears.
Happy weekend, dear friends!
4 comments:
For our health's sake often we have to overcome our fears to get the treatment we might need. I hope all will go well with you in this situation my dear friend. We have five rivers in our city so physically we go over many bridges as we travel around the area. I hope your friend overcomes her fear so that she can come for a cup of tea with you.
This is a beautifully thoughtful post, Marilyn. And yup -- I get the medical part of overcoming our fears. It becomes essential. I'm very edgy on large bridge expansions but if that's how you must go to get from a to b, I'll do it (preferring someone else drive!) I was on our Mackinac Bridge in a wind storm and five minutes after I left it, they closed it down because a car about the size of mine had blown off. Since then, nervous!
Oh, I really like that song, Marilyn. It was nice to hear it again. Yes, sometimes fear does make us not want to do things. I don't like traveling at all, but I face the discomfort to see the grandkids. I don't mind bridges, and I'm sorry your friend has a fear of driving over the water and crossing the bridge to see you. Maybe you could visit her, or pick her up and spend the day shopping? I hope you took care of all the things you needed to with the zoom meeting. It's snowing here too, today and tomorrow. : )
Have a pleasant week, dear Marilyn.
~Sheri
There are several bridges that separate the East Shore from the West Shore, and much like your friend, many people do not like to cross the bridge to get to the other shore. It is like the great divide in our area - and I must say, I don't cross it very often anymore. I live on the West Shore, and used to work on the East shore, so crossed it twice daily, now that I don't have to do that on a regular basis, I find myself content in staying close to home even though the bridge is only 15 miles away. Safety and security on this side of the river. Bridge Over Troubled Waters was the number one song while I was in college. I found it beautiful, and comforting, as I was far from home, and no internet or cell phones for instant connection to family. It warms my heart whenever I hear the song.
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