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Finding Good in Everyday Encounters
- Michele Gates
- Jul 20, 2024
- 2 min read
It's easy to look around and see the bad in the world, but I feel it's just as easy to recognize the good too. This week, I walked to one of my favorite places, the wooden bridge in our small town. The sun was shining, and the birds chirping added a soothing backdrop to my thoughts. While walking, I encountered a young boy, maybe 3 or 4 years old, and his mom walking along the trail. His eyes lit up with curiosity as I approached, and he greeted me with a cheerful smile and said, "Hi." I smiled, said "Hello," and continued walking.
As I walked a little further, I heard the pitter-patter of small steps behind me. The boy was hurrying to catch up. When he did, he said something in his little toddler accent that I couldn't quite understand, so his mom clarified: "He wants to cross the bridge."
He and I walked side by side up the path, around the curve, and finally arrived at the bridge. We both paused; he looked up at me with a smile and said, "Okay, cross." We both placed a foot on the bridge and began to walk across. About halfway across, he and his mom paused while I continued walking. I heard him say to no one in particular, "Careful," to which his mom replied, "That's right, be careful." Their conversation eventually faded into the background as I continued my walk, their voices blending in with the sounds of nature.
It was a sweet encounter and a reminder that there is good in the world. It made me think about how we meet people and how those people (even kiddos) often help us cross a bridge in our lives. No matter what bridge you're standing on or what bridge may be up ahead, I hope you come across someone who joins you for the walk. And if you don't, I hope you know you have what it takes to cross anyway. You Matter!
A journal prompt for further reflection:
Reflect on a time when someone helped you cross a metaphorical bridge. Who was that person, and how did they impact your journey?
