Crossing Bridges: Symbols of Progress and Peace
"Bridges don’t erase the gap. They honor it—by offering a way across."
There’s something about bridges that has always fascinated me—not just the way they rise from two separate shores, but how they reach out, how they dare to connect what was once divided. In a world that feels increasingly fragmented—across politics, generations, industries, and even family tables—maybe it’s time we remember what bridges were built for. Not just for transport or convenience, but for people, for peace, and for progress.
Here’s a bit of history you might not know: there’s a bridge called the Peace Bridge connecting Buffalo, New York, and Fort Erie, Ontario. It was opened in 1927, shortly after the end of World War I, as a symbol of reconciliation and partnership between two nations. This bridge wasn’t built out of conflict—it was built out of hope. A quiet, powerful reminder that peace can have structure. That friendship can have form.
source: https://postalmuseum.si.edu/object/npm_1980.2493.6216
And that’s what bridges still represent today. They teach us that difference is not a dead end. They show us that even when we stand on opposite sides—of an issue, a culture, a generation—we can meet in the middle. The strongest bridges aren’t built in a day; they’re designed with care, tested over time, and they only work when they stay open. When we choose to connect rather than retreat, to understand instead of assume, we begin to unlock the deeper potential of our communities, our workplaces, and ourselves.
So here’s a gentle challenge: Who do you need to build a bridge with this week? Maybe it’s a colleague you’ve disagreed with, a friend you’ve drifted from, or a younger person you could mentor—or an older one you could learn from. Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Don’t wait for them to make the first move. Be the bridge. One message, one coffee, one shared moment at a time.
Let’s not just admire the bridges around us. Let’s become them. Let’s get real. Let’s grow. Let’s Get BridgeD!
