Bridges

Today, we began the Civil Rights Trip, and I couldn't be more excited!!! While I spent most of today catching up on sleep that I missed last night (and this past week...), I was ready to dive into this unique experience. As we travelled from Baltimore to Greensboro, and then from Greensboro to Atlanta, I spent a lot of time thinking about bridges.

We didn't really go over too many bridges as we made our way south, but it's interesting to think about how bridges connect one side to another and close a gap. Without physical bridges, we wouldn't be able to get from Point A to Point B, and I think the same goes for metaphorical bridges too.
While touring the International Civil Rights Museum in Greensboro, our tour guide mentioned a quote Dr. Maya Angelou had told him personally: "Walls, when turned on their sides, become bridges." As we travelled, I thought about that quote and how it relates to me. I'm ready to break down the walls I've built around myself (maybe from fear, maybe from lack of willingness to understand) and begin building bridges to make a connection with the other students and chaperones on the trip. I'm open and willing to experience a shift that will put my walls on their sides so that I can begin to build bridges that allow me to reach out and understand others.
I'm feeling ready for tomorrow! This is only the beginning, and I'm already dreading the end of the trip. But, I'll try to be present, and immerse myself in the amazing people and things yet to come.

-Anonymous