Appreciating the bridges unburnt.

How fast life goes and so quickly we leave behind the memories that brought us to where we are today. Unfortunately, we leave in that same past the many useful connections we made with wonderful folks who helped us along the way.

We cannot stay in touch with everybody from our past, understanding that and making that delineation is wisdom.

We cannot stay in touch with everybody from our past, understanding that and making that delineation is wisdom. However, we may agree that there are many people that played significant roles at different stages of our development but we have cut off our connection with them – some not deliberately though.

I understand that these things happen and it is for no personal reasons other than how life is unfolding, but it doesn’t hurt to take a momentary pause and appreciate the bridges unburnt.

So, this week I am challenging myself (and I invite you to take on the same challenge) to touch base with, and show thoughtfulness to, some of these wonderful folks from your recent past.

Perhaps, you will find useful this thematic group with which I have ideated to map out a mental list of those I am looking forward to reconnecting with, in the coming days.

Neighbours: From childhood, those who looked after me when my parents were away, played street football and dreamt about the future together.

Classmates: Those folks that I lived in the same hostel with, played games together, wrote poetry, shared our food with, shunted vehicle queues and made jest of innocent people.

Lecturers: At least, I am aiming to speak with 3 of my lecturers. One was the introductory lecturer who convinced me and other colleagues to dedicate 5 years of our lives to studying a course that only a few have found useful. The two others, my final-year project supervisors – who did not frustrate my academic life.

Mentors: Colleagues and mentors from my earlier days as a younger professional trying to find his foot in various career paths.

It doesn’t matter how many people… I hope this inspires you to reach out to someone.

It doesn’t matter how many people… I hope inspires you to reach out to someone. Do not wait till you hear/read about the demise of a kind person from your past before asking yourself, why didn’t I ever attempt to reconnect? It is time to appreciate the bridges unburnt.

Have a great week!

Image credit: Kim Dashong

3 thoughts on “Appreciating the bridges unburnt.”

  1. This is really an inspiring write-up, although some unburnt bridges are hard and tasky to reconnect.
    Well-done Mr seyifunmi.

    Reply

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