Build Your Bridge Over Troubled Waters | From Behind the Pen

Image Credit: Pexels

Do we build bridges or walls? I suppose it depends on your planned end result. Human connection works as a bridge, bringing together people built on pillars of education, compassion, understanding, and strength. Disconnection is like demolishing a bridge that can destroy such unity or make people retreat.

When I heard about the huge cargo ship that struck Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge last week, I, along with so many people watched in horror as that bridge which became an artery that this city relied on for nearly 50 years, folded into the Patapsco River like popsicle sticks. An unthinkable tragedy occurred within a few seconds, that took  5 years to build.

The wise build bridges, not walls. There is a cascade of disconnection when we turn our heads and backs to people who may look different from us, but are souls who can unify, uplift, support, and empower. Where there is intentional disconnection and rejection it can be terrifying, toxic, tragic, destructive, and quite polarizing.

BRIDGE BUILDERS

Unsung heroes who diligently build bridges
visions of growth, cultural development,
and spiritual excellence
connections that guide us on an exodus
from chains of separation and bondage
knowing such structures built by warriors
strengthen our understanding of ourselves
introducing us to a new land of emancipation
where others we never met,
join us on future expeditions, exploring the unknown
as new conversations of understanding
are exchanged about where we come from
who others are
and the direction where we are headed
those bridge builders erecting structures
support mechanisms to take us further
as we embark on the new, the learned, the untapped
and pass the torch of wise lessons
to light the pathway before us, and lead those who follow.

©Kym Gordon Moore

Simon & Garfunkel in 1970, released the song, Bridge Over Troubled Water. There was something quite solemn yet so painfully spiritual when I first heard this song. It made me think about how we reach out to people in their time of need, and to be of service when people are suffering. We see such evidence when bridges have been compromised in times of disaster, especially when people are displaced and feel afraid of the unknown.

So even though the Francis Scott Key Bridge came down when it was compromised by the collision that the cargo ship created, people are coming together to build this bridge back. The hole gaping over the Patapsco River is a void that leaves us bewildered but also mobilizes the human spirit. It is mindboggling how one bridge affects the lives of thousands of people and their livelihoods. Yet, such a disaster makes us focus on the immediate future, to devise a plan to build back better and build back in unity. There is no measuring in what we think, but in what we do, together. Be the pathway to build bridges that unite, and not walls that lead to devastating polarization.

Image Credit: ADStorey

Source: Build Your Bridge Over Troubled Waters | From Behind the Pen

Strike That Killed World Central Kitchen Workers Bears Hallmarks of Israeli Precision Strike – bellingcat

The destroyed vehicles bear the hallmarks of a precision strike, which only the IDF has the capability to conduct in the region. Images from the aftermath of the strike show that the WCK vehicles were white and at least one had the WCK logo and name clearly marked on the roof. Source: Strike That Killed World Central Kitchen Workers Bears Hallmarks of Israeli Precision Strike – bellingcat

Open Thread | Abortion Rights On The Ballot In Florida In November | 3CHICSPOLITICO

Florida voters will have the final say on a constitutional amendment to guarantee access to abortion after the state’s Supreme Court Monday decided to allow the question on whether to pass it on the 2024 statewide ballot.

The court concluded the proposed initiative, the Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion, sponsored by Floridians Protecting Freedom, adequately informs voters of the proposed amendment’s effect.

The 4 -3 ruling ensures abortion will be on voter’s minds when casting ballots in the 2024 election. The initiative to place abortion access before voters came after the Florida Legislature approved a six-week abortion ban in 2023. Justices effectively upheld than ban in a separate ruling that struck down Florida’s decades-old privacy amendment that once garnered unanimous high court approval and granted constitutional protections to abortion.

But voters could ultimately overturn the justices.

The ballot summary states, “No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient’s health, as determined by the patient’s healthcare provider. “

I admit. I was hesitant about Democrats spending serious money in Florida, but now?
Yes. Yes. Yes.
We need to spend the funds, and get out the voters for this amendment. And, link it to the Senate race.

Source: Open Thread | Abortion Rights On The Ballot In Florida In November | 3CHICSPOLITICO

Second Look Behind the Headlines – News you can use…

Baldacchino di Perla

"Luce di parole, ombra di sogni."

Northern Desert Photography

Living on the Edge of the Sagebrush Ocean

Susana Cabaço

Spiritual Insights & Personal Empowerment

Barbara Picci

Artist & Art Blogger

craft journey

Furnicraft, woodwork, and art

musings corner

reveries and rants

Japão para Românticos

Bem Vindos a este espaço onde compartilhamos um pouco da realidade do Japão à todos aqueles que desejam visitar ou morar no Japão. Aqui neste espaço, mostramos a realidade do Japão e dos imigrantes. O nosso compromisso é com a realidade. Fique por dentro do noticiário dos principais jornais japoneses, tutoriais de Faça você mesmo no Japão e acompanhe a Série Histórias de Imigrantes no Japão. Esperamos que goste de nossos conteúdos, deixe seu like, seu comentário, compartilhe e nos ajudar você e à outras pessoas. Grande abraço, gratidão e volte sempre!

Leben als Mensch

Willkommen auf Elke´s Glücks-Blog

Sharpshot Nature .Com

- Specializing in the great outdoors, capturing nature at its finest!

Diane Ravitch's blog

A site to discuss education and democracy

Expansão e Percepção

Seu Guia de Inspirações e Reflexões Diárias

noga noga.

my-health-and-beauty.com/

Uğurcan'ın Ütopyası

Benim Gezegenime Hoş geldiniz !!!

AKILS

Blog de viajes y lugares

Ed Mooney Photography

The official blog of Ed Mooney Photography. Dad of 3, Photographer, Blogger, Powerlifter. Exploring the historical sites of Ireland.

everything Explored on the earth

It has new aidias,news, about education , motivation, social, historical, culture, marketing creation new aidias education of language science culture and history

Born to die

L'unico modo sensato di vivere è senza regole

Early Morning Memories

by Anuran (A) & Sayoni (S)

My thoughts

Fun for the Brain

Neo Vision College

An exemplary learning community.

Anthony’s Crazy Love and Life Lessons in Empathy

Loves, lamentation, and life through prose, stories, passions, and essays.

Episodic Squalid Rants

public tantrums by a non-two-year-old

The Street Art Directory

Public, street and urban art worldwide

Artie & Stu

all the rules of free form

Everyone read that they fell in love first

<script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-2937106805202763" crossorigin="anonymous"></script>

davidscottmoyer

Lapsed Painter, Occasional Photographer, Compulsive Writer

Health & Fitness

Health Blogs

Buildings Tell Tales

Exploring the hidden architectural heritage of Budapest

Divit kalem

Yaşamdan

Roy's Weblog

The third incarnation...

Thought Pukes

More than a thought less than a question

"بوصلة الحياة"

"بوصلة الحياة: مدونة متعددة المجالات، من السياسة إلى الرومانسية، ومن تطوير الذات إلى الأدب وأكثر!" بقلم مشاعر بنت عبدالرحمن

parallax

The view from here ... Or here!

ClearingSpace4Joy

Bringer and seeker of joy

Belladonna’s Flashlight

The One Where She Stumbled Through Her 40's and Faced Her Demons

~ Trivial Music Silliness ~

Baw wit da baw. Just sayin'.

mo mnsoor blog

Website storys

Chronicles of an Anglo Swiss

Welcome to the Anglo Swiss World

gnaddrig ad libitum

Querbeet und ohne Gewähr

Peace & Truth

KINDNESS IS FREE, sprinkle it all over the world, and 😁 smile

Ética de la vida diaria

Nuestra ética de todos los días...

Elizabeth Gauffreau

Fiction Writer in Poet's Clothing