Forget the Bridge, Jump in the Creek...

As a kid, there was a great big creek behind our school. Ultimately, we had to get across the creek to find our way home. There were times when the creek would be high after a winter melt or storm, but generally speaking it was a slow flowing creek. For a little while, we used to walk the long way down one side of the river to the bridge, across the river then back up the other side to get home. As kids this was clearly counterproductive. We knew better. So… we quickly learned the worst that could happen was a soaker. :) We’ve all gone home with a wet shoe at some point in our lives. From that point forward, with the exception of high water, we took our chances every day and jumped from stone to stone across the creek and home we went.

Kinda funny how in our lives we are always looking for that same bridge. We will walk miles out of the way to find some “safe” means of getting from A to B. What happened to our free faithful spirit to just take the leap?  

You know exactly what I mean. How many times in your life did you stay in a relationship you weren’t even interested in until you could find someone else? We’ve all done it at some point - the rebound. A bit counterproductive, but safe. It’s what we needed to cross from one point in our lives into something else. How many have bravely quit a job that didn’t make them happy until they had another guarantee in place, even though it was a job that was a step down. 

I’m not saying there aren’t circumstances that warrant a back up plan. What I’m suggesting is that there are many that don’t - namely, love. After a period of time I sat out of the game and spent some time reflecting, I started to wonder if my lack of interest was perhaps just my serious lack of knowing what I wanted. In recent weeks, I’ve had lots of reasons to finally put that thought to rest. I do know what I want. I know exactly what I want. Things are so clear for the first time in my life it’s almost scary.

The more frightening piece is what I see, hear and feel when I talk to others. How many people are looking for a bridge. That first jump is scary. The what ifs, the worry about regrets. The only thing I can say in my own experience is how much more devastating the safe routes and the staying put was than just risking a soaker. 

There will be days I look for the safe route, and days I dive in. I suppose the blessing is understanding that the worst case isn’t so bad afterall.

I’ve spent a good deal of my adult years now on my own. Yet, as I often remind my friends, I’ve never been lonelier than the times I spent in the wrong relationships. You never need a back up plan, you just need to believe in yourself, your ability to navigate the creek, and to know that a soaker isn’t so bad after all. Every step in the creek, one rock to the next is your choice. The bridge however, is fixed, predictable, and out of the way.  You choose…

If you’re looking in my direction, there are no bridges here. Cross the creek!