Bridges

I lie on my back on the mat with my knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Then gently raise my midsection toward the sky, keeping my feet and shoulders touching the mat.  A slight resistance of aging muscles and tendons, but a feeling of openness and stretching.  A Yogi's soothing voice echos across time saying breathe and envision your bridge carrying you across rivers of fear, streams of resentment, chasms of guilt; anything that blocks your journey.  This bridge is the way across.

I have found Yoga and meditation as a way of opening my mind and stretching my body to help me on my journey of life.  I have found it to be a way of serenity and peace.  Allowing me to envision things that I need to do or change to keep me on my journey without having to run all the way around, and then be cut off again from my goal.

For me, I have found that I need two basic tools for building bridges.  One is forgiveness and the other is grace.  Forgiveness is a tool that I need to use to see past the valleys and chasms blocking me from my current relationships; helping to lay the foundation for those who can help me on my path.  Grace is not a tool that I wield, but one that is wielded for me.  It is the constant gratitude for the blessings that I have been given and the hope of each new day.  When used together, they form a strong bridge over any chasm and even span oceans of feelings.

I do have to keep in mind that I only need to build a bridge when I have approached a place that I cannot get across without one.  So many times I have built bridges in my head for situations that don't even require them.  In the meantime, I am so busy building that I have forgotten to approach the situation with confidence only to find that it is a solid road that has been paved by grace.

We all face these troubled valleys at times in our lives.  I hope your bridges are strong and sturdy!