Pausing to Reflect vs Stopping to Dwell (the Other Side of the Bridge)

I wrote an article very meaningful to me last month. “One Bridge at a Time”. The premise was “crossing one bridge at a time” or how it was important for everyone to focus on one obstacle before another and not worry about unknowns.

I have had some serious health issues this year and with it my mind played out approximately 137 scenarios of how things could potentially go bad for me. The truth that I came to peace with was simple. I can only deal with the immediate “obstacle” in front of me. This thought process helped me immensely throughout my pineal tumor surgery on March 1st and has been the background of my personal narrative as I continue my road to recovery.

I read a beautiful quote this past Wednesday: worrying is the worst use of your imagination.

So, I know I cannot worry about unknowns. But what do you do after you dominated that last obstacle, overcame that previous fear, and crossed that last bridge?

I have found solace in this idea, you pause and reflect for a few seconds and do not stop and dwell. Ultimately, you continue to move forward, keep pushing, stay positive and strong, and prepare yourself for the next “bridge”

I find this thought process applicable to many life issues as they occur throughout life, childhood trauma, tragedies, disease, heartache, business failure, career disruption, death and many more.

I am writing this with a newly diagnosed brain cancer, grade 3, PPTID.

I am writing this with an eye patch on my left eye because I lost my vision in it

I am writing this from a chair I sit in/sleep in the majority of my days and nights since surgery

MOST importantly I am writing this with a purpose.

We all have had obstacles we had to overcome to get to this place if you are currently reading this. I couldn’t begin to try and understand all of your personal stories. Although, I have the empathy to feel for you I would not have the audacity to say I understand how you felt when that “thing” happened or when you “heard” that news. However, I do have the courage to stand up in this moment and offer this thought. The difficulties (and positives) of our past have created who we are today. Do not hesitate for a second to understand that we are who we are because of the past…we all have crossed our fair share of different sized and shaped “bridges”. It is important to also understand that we are no longer in control of the past. It is wasting time to dwell on anything that has happened to you. You cannot change it. On the other hand, it is helpful to pause to reflect on it, learn from it, and use it to push you forward in your life’s journey. This is your one shot at life. Please make the absolute most of it.

Time, seconds…your story … Your time… Your seconds. use them wisely in your journey!

Get ready to cross the next bridge. I know I am.

Thank you for reading this article. If you found it worth sharing I would greatly appreciate it.