by Kathy Ruff
Past storms have created downed trees across the Mauch Chunk Creek, including this one to the right of a bridge that leads to the sportsmen’s club.
To me it seems pretty obvious which bridge to use to get to the other side, but some younger and more adventurous hikers may disagree.
Years ago there were areas of this trail that had no formal bridges and we had no choices Crossing required using the natural landscape of downed trees and moss-covered rocks, and more than a few times crossing resulted in wet feet — or more.
Today there are choices for getting to the other side of the creek. Even though some options seem less desirable, choices still exist.
Throughout each day, we have many choices to make and sometimes encounter bridges to cross to get where we want to go. Sometimes it appears there are no choices, but it usually means we don’t even want to consider the other possibilities. Sometimes we decide not to choose, but even that is a choice.
I’ve been guilty of not making choices and allowing my life to drift with the wind. Then I feel even more guilty for not getting done what I want to get done such as finishing that book or workshop. I tend to cross the bridge and then run back to the safe, comfortable side, fearful of what lies beyond. I realize that fear is holding me back from reaching my goals, doing what I want to do and living the life I really want to live.
What bridges do you choose? Are you burning them as you cross? Are you keeping your options open so you can backtrack if you realize you made the wrong choice, or using the bridge as a crutch so you don’t have to move forward?
