Motivation From the Mitten: Bridges Bring out the Best in us

What would life be like without engineering marvels?

Bridges are facisnating.  The delicate complexity of creating a structure that can carry the weight of the world it's supporting is left to engineers who understand the phsyics behind it.  For the majority of people, they are a part of everyday life.  We have some of the most fantastic bridges in Michigan, and in the United States.  But have you ever thought of what it would be like without them?

We travel great lengths with faster speeds than in previous generations.  However, there was a time when it took far more than time to reach places like St. Ignance or the Soo, two places in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.  Before both the Mackinac Bridge and the Zilwaukee Bridge were built, travlers waited for draw bridges and ferries to be able to complete their journey.

Now, bridges are easily a part of our everyday lives, even if we don't recognize it.  There are bridges over freeways and roads, both cars and walking, to allow people to move freely without having to wait or naviagate what might be below.  Where our ancestors forged rivers in wagons, worried about currents, we cross the Mississippi or enter Manhatten in a matter of minutes .  Our world continues to move and improve because of bridges lifting us up and providing us an easier path forward.

Think of the bridges in your life, both literally and figuratively.  Think of how much longer your routes would be without bridges to help you navigate major intersections or bodies of water.  Think of the things you might skip or not do at all, simply because getting there wouldn't be worth the time and effort.  

Think of the people who act as bridges in your life.  These people help you navigate easily over obstacles, raging waters, and busy intersections.  They help lift you up so that you can see what's on the horizon, and they help provide a path to get things done easily. 

Take a moment to really recognize those in your life that are making a difference and providing a path for your life to move forward.  They provide a bridge for you to make your life easier, all while holding just the right amout of weight to make it happen.  Bridges in our lives make the world a better place, and are a beautiful part of our world.

Want to Walk Under a Bridge? Check out the Bridge Walk in WV