Monday, April 2, 2012

B is for Bridge....

A to Z Challenege....

The notion of bridges continually intrigues me—the idea of persisting on a voyage then passing over a structure transitioning into unrelated territory or an altered destination.
This brings to mind the Rainbow Bridge; often referred to as the bucolic end of our beloved pets when they pass away. These adored creatures are said to have traversed over the passageway into the sacred heaven of God designed exactly for our dogs and cats, birds and bunnies all living peacefully.
 
Metaphorically speaking, bridges are connectors between the mundane or familiar as compared to the novel innovative thoughts and ideas. Bridges automatically allude to fluctuations; the leaving behind then moving in the direction of the new.
Currently, I catch myself standing idly on the bridge with the ever so present yearning to leave behind the vocation I’ve known for thirty years; teaching. The mind is willing yet hesitancy persists with the tether being financial security.  Although ideas abound be it my writing and sale of my book or opening my own scrapbooking store, that final footstep across the viaduct into the unknown awaits.
What bridge is before you?
“Sometimes if you stand on the bottom rail of a bridge and lean over to watch the river slipping slowly away beneath you, you will suddenly know everything there is to be known.”
Winnie the Pooh

41 comments:

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

A great B word for the challenge. I never realised how many types are bridges there are .
Look forward to your C word.

Yvonne.

Heal Now and Forever said...

Bridges are the liminal space between two realities. You depart on,a re betwixt and between, uncertain, in a bardo, and then after an indefinite about of time you arrive. I love this metaphor, such a analogy to many trials and tribulations that are life!

liz young said...

Love it that you quoted A A Milne. A favourite game when I was walking across the fields with my children was Pooh Sticks.

From the Kitchen said...

I love the idea of the Rainbow Bridge. I like to think we have two dalmatians, Cooper and Argos, waiting there for us.

Best,
Bonnie

Old Kitty said...

I'm terrible at building bridges between me and another soul! It's taking that first brick to lay down the foundations!!

Take care
x

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

My boys love to run back and forth across bridges like that. They love the sound it makes.

Reena said...

Good read ... we too are beginning that bridge into what we will do in our 2nd Act upon leaving our careers behind. And exciting and fascinating time!

T. Powell Coltrin said...

Metaphorically and literally, if we didn't have the bridges our journeys would be very limited.

Thought provoking!

T

Brian's Home Blog said...

That was so good! I hope to bridge the misunderstandings between all species!

Bish Denham said...

Every moment is a bridge between past and future. It is the only place where we can truly live.

Tina Fariss Barbour said...

Tracy, This post spoke to me directly. I'm on a bridge too, wanting to leave the workplace but holding on to financial security.

I love the reference to the Rainbow Bridge. I hope with all my heart that our Thunder Cat and Waddles are awaiting our arrival.

Beautiful post!

Tina

TexWisGirl said...

i know you will get to where you need to be - might take a bit of time, yet. :)

Unknown said...

Bridges, great! I try to cross as many bridges as I can. It's important to keep moving forward. I hope to cross many bridges in the publishing world.

Empty Nester said...

I'm still struggling with the empty nest bridge. Figuring out how to live with just this man and no daughters at home. I just can't seem to cross all the way over to the other side. I have some friends who retired the last few years. All but one went back! It's not easy these bridge crossings. Excellent analogy!

k~ said...

The quote was fun. Bridges are a favorite of mine (that and doors) metaphorically, spiritually and physically. This was a fun "B" to find on the A-Z roadway.

A-Z Haiku

Ginny Hartzler said...

We have one friend who has left teaching and another who is leaving, asking for prayer for his future because he is not returning in the fall. Teaching is serious, hard, and underpaid, but makes such a difference in people's lives. It can change the whole course of a child's life. well, my bridge is old age...and I am in the process of crossing it.

Beth Zimmerman said...

We must be destined to be friends! I love the Hundred Acre Wood creatures. In fact I have another blog titled Looking for Tigger. :) Plus I took a flying leap off my personal bridge recently ... left a job I had grown to hate (in spite of the fact that we need the insurance that was provided solely by that job) and jumped free into the great unknown.

Mel said...

What a beautiful and thoughtful post! There is something utterly fascinating about bridges; their structure, their implied metaphor. Lovely.

Ruth said...

This makes me think of the song "Love Can Build a Bridge" by The Judds.
Very nice post.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Thirteen years ago I crossed the bridge and went from employed to self-employed. I've been blessed that it all worked out.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Another good one, Tracy--with much thought and great words from you... We might stand on one side and feel safe --but unless we cross that bridge and 'step out of our comfortable box' we may not ever realize what we've missed in life.... Yes---sometimes, going across that bridge can lead to problems --but that's how we grow and learn.

Hugs,
Betsy

Kathy said...

I too love bridges and have many photos of bridges in our area. I especially like Winnie's thoughts on a bridge.
We both posted about Angels, too. I'm a new follower.
Kathy at Oak Lawn Images

Julie Flanders said...

I've always loved bridges and I can't even say why. But I love coming upon a covered bridge or even just a small bridge on a walking trail. Love this picture you used for your post.

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

The bridge in your picture is just the kind I could never resist stomping on when my kids were young, just so I could make them giggle by making like the troll in "The Billy Goats Gruff." It's good that you see your transition from teaching into whatever comes next as a bridge. Some of my friends acted more like they were about to jump off a cliff. Thanks for visiting my blog. 'Twas a pleasure to return the favor.

Kittie Howard said...

Great choice! Bridges are too magical for words. In May, we're going on a train ride in the area just so we can cross a stone bridge. Can't wait!

Unknown said...

I am SO glad you stopped by my B word post today, just so I could come and visit you. This post is so lovely. The metaphor of the bridge...sigh yes very thought provoking. Cannot wait to come back tomorrow! :)

Tonja said...

Love the quote. :)

M Pax said...

I love Winnie and your idea of life bridges. Beautiful post.

Sherry Ellis said...

I think bridges are really neat. I especially love them in gardens, going over babbling streams.

Jules said...

Personally, I hate bridges and I sure hope my dogs just float to the other side and I don't have to worry about them getting too close to the edge. :)
Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

Denise Covey said...

There are some beautiful bridges in the world, works of architechure we take for granted. I like the metaphoric meaning too. I've given up classroom teaching and have found a new life as English tutor, building bridges with my students.

Denise

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

We're on almost the same bridge. I'm retiring from teaching after one more year and hope to be a full time writer after that. I love my students but it's time to go onto the next thing.

Lin said...

I think life is a series of bridges, taking you to places here and there, never knowing where you'll end up. I only like the little bridges though--the ones that aren't scary to cross or the drop too deep. I prefer little wooden bridges on life's path that are gentle and welcoming.

Tyrean Martinson said...

Love, love, love your quote by Winnie the Pooh! I really like your post on bridges and how they stretch over times of change. I live in an area with two bridges, and I often think about the act of crossing them and what it means. It never seems mundane even when we cross them two days in a row.

Catherine said...

There is a swinging bridge at the Calgary Zoo. I'm scared to cross it. This one looks ok. Nice and low to the ground. Haha! ;)
xo Catherine

MunirGhiasuddin said...

I have always looked at the end of each year as a bridge.

Connie said...

Lovely post, Tracy. We all have bridges to cross. What came to my head while reading this were a couple of sayings--"I'll cross that bridge when I come to it," and "Don't burn your bridges behind you." This made me think about how sometimes we have to make plans to cross a bridge and how sometimes we travel across a bridge more than once or have to back track across them. Love the Winnie the Pooh quote. :D

Cathy Olliffe-Webster said...

Just around the corner from us is the nicest old bridge I'd ever seen. It's half the reason we decided to buy our house!

Patricia Stoltey said...

I love the idea of bridges from the known to the unknown (of course, keeping my fingers crossed that the unknown is wonderful and exciting).

Thanks for stopping by my blog on your A to Z tours. It's a pleasure meeting you.

Patricia Stoltey

Wanda's Wings said...

I used to be afraid of bridges,but this post has opened my eyes to see them in a new light.

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