There are many sayings/cliches when it comes to bridges… “Bridge the gap.” “Don’t burn your bridges.” “Like a bridge over troubled water.” “Build bridges instead of walls and you will have a friend.”

But what I learned yesterday was that bridges offer us new perspectives we would otherwise never see. Case in point – We walked across the steep Wellesely Island Bridge that takes you from mainland USA to the island. It was exciting, scary and a little it unsettling. There is a narrow sidewalk that enabled us to make the ascent. The views along the way were ever changing. We would not be able to see a deer had we been driving, but looking over the railing we could see him grazing in a clearing, protected by thick trees all around. The houses and gardens along the river were spectacular as well. The closer we got to the peak of the bridge, the more we could feel the suspension, and the shaking was a bit creepy. Ahh but the views were well worth it.

Speaking of perspective, check out how small my daughter looks under that sign. When you drive by a sign like that, it never looks that big. But stand under it, and you’ve got a whole new take on it.

From now on I will think of a bridge as a metaphor for seeing the world in a new light. Cliche again? Maybe. But what if I applied that to everything in my life. If something is not working out right, I shall try to see it from a different perspective – literally. This may not be as simple as a walk up a bridge. But however I can change my perspective, the situation might look a whole lot better from the new place. And if not, then at least I could say I made an attempt to “see it from a different angle.” Another cliche, but you catch my drift, right? Woops, yet another.

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