52 Ways to Joy - Building Bridges

Do not forget small kindnesses and do not remember small faults.
Chinese Proverb

I'm not going to lie...building a bridge is sometimes the hardest thing to do.

In all truth, I've burnt a few bridges, dug a few holes and walked away from people and relationships that simply required more than I thought I could give.

But before we take the drastic steps of closing doors and burning down bridges, I've learned to take a step back and sleep on it. (Sometimes a particular bridge might require years of sleeping on it...but hey, no one said the process is perfect!)

As I look around my world, there are many people populating my village that I like for many reasons, there are some I tolerate for a few stand-out reasons and there are some I prefer not to cross paths with - but keeping the bridge open needs to stay an option for as long as possible.

There is a simple joy that is felt deep in the soul when you extend that olive branch.

We all struggle with something in our lives that might cause an over-reaction, something that might cause an outburst of epic proportions or keep us deeply private. Our world and these times are not easy and we are not all cut from the same cloth - but as people there are common threads that we can twist and knit into a single cord of tolerance...even if it's just about the weather or sharing the love of a book we just read.

Because bridges over small creeks can sometimes span rivers and isn't that better than the alternative?

This week before you burn down the bridge...I ask you to step off for a few minutes, hours, days, or however long you might need, to see the other side from a difference perspective. You might find you can put the matches away (you might find a blowtorch is just what you need...but if you've reached that point, maybe it's time to just be done!)

As always, I wish you joy on whatever road you travel this week!

 

*Do you get Scribbling Through Time in your favorite reader? Please note I recently changed my feed from feedburner to feedblitz and I don't want leave you behind when I finally cut the cord and terminate the feedburner account! Take a second to click HERE and keep me coming to your favorite reader!*
 
  ** Because I love my readers and am grateful you choose to spend some time with me each week, all comments from April 1 to April 30th are automatically entered into my monthly drawing for a 3 pack of mini travel-sized handmade soaps. Details and the scents for the month can be found on the "contest rules" page.

 ***52 Ways to Joy is a weekly post to celebrate the simple ways to bring joy into your life and those around you. It's about the small moments that makes memories and give us all a sense of contentment in the crazy world we live in. If you're joining me here for the first time, by clicking on the label  "52WTJ" you can read the previous posts!