Bridges and water and other cautious reminders.

The hardest thing in life is to know which bridge to cross and which to burn.

~David Russell

I hate being cryptic. I'd rather say what I want to say and not have to guard my words for fear of saying too much, but there are too many people who don't know my secrets, and too many secrets that I'm not ready to share. I'm very close to having a Liar Liar meltdown, and clearing my slate of anyone who can't handle the truth.

At this moment, I'm making a list of all my truths, and checking it twice. Lately, it seems that every time I turn around, I'm presented with a new opportunity. I guess that's what happens when you have many passions - you knock, and many doors open. The trick is sorting out which ones to pursue, and which ones to leave behind.

It gets even harder with people. My momma told me to be very careful about burning bridges. "You never know who you'll need to turn to down the line," she used to warn. She was right about being careful, so I have been. But I've definitely burned some bridges. Turns out, I don't regret any of the choices I've made so far. Am I sad for the lost relationships? Not really. Most of the relationships I've ended were one-sided and draining. Looking back now, I can see that most of the people I cut off were headed down their own self-destructive paths, and from what I've heard through the grapevine, are still on them. You can't move up if you're weighted down by the addictive actions of others.

I get the strong feeling that the universe wants me to take a long, hard look at the relationships I have now to see if they're working, and if they're not, why not?

I recently had a great dinner with an old friend, and although the past is always within arm's reach, it's best to not pull it back too often. We're different people than we were back then, and I'm more interested in making new memories. I don't want to make the same mistakes we did before. I'm tired of learning things the hard way.

Life moves forward, or it stagnates. And too much water under the bridge can eventually drown you.

Take me anywhere. Just don't take me for granted.

In all affairs it's a healthy thing now and then

to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted.

~Bertrand Russell

I like and appreciate myself and make no apologies to those who don't. I feel bad for those who don't...like or appreciate themselves. Or me.

The drawback to finally treating myself with all due love and respect is that I expect others to do so, as well. But is this expectation really a drawback? Should we settle for less? I don't believe so, but we all have. We all do.

The line between being a trusted, comfortable element in another person's life, and being taken for granted because you've always been there, is a thin and unforgiving one. Remember, every time you don't do or say something when you should, you're leaving room for someone else who could, and probably does. Don't make someone wait because you know they will.

You don't know that at all.

I'm hanging on to all that I love, and reminding myself that in the blink of an eye...

everything could change.

I do know this.