“Always remember where you came from, and if you are smart, as you blaze a trail into the future you will build a bridge for others to cross over as well.” ~ Cha Jones
Today, I began to think about my life and how I have been at the forefront of change in many situations. I have often been the first to accomplish things, and as rewarding as that may be at times, it can also be equally challenging. It is very rewarding to know that you are doing something that hasn’t been done, but it is also challenging when you have no point of reference. When you walk alone it is easy to give up, but when have a squad of cheerleaders that are rooting for you to do bigger and better things, it gives you inspiration to move forward when you feel like retiring your disposition. I know all too well how it is to experience being a lost soul in a forest of uncertainty. However, I can’t help but to understand that my going alone sometimes builds the bridge of change for not only me, but for so many more to come.
As I drove today, I began to assess those times when I felt that I was alone, and I thought about all the times I thought, “If I could just get there how extremely happy I would be.” However, just crossing over isn’t the answer. If I cross and fail to build a bridge, the once lonely road becomes even lonelier, because I now can’t share my accomplishments. The selfish part me says that I am only responsible for laying the path, but the responsible teacher in me says that I must build a bridge. Now, what does building a bridge actually mean? To me building a bridge means that I leave a way for everyone that must follow me to travel. I don’t have to go back and get anyone, but I believe I’m accountable as the first to travel across unfamiliar waters, to not make it easy, but to make it possible for those who follow me.
It is important that as you blaze the trail to new places that you remember that success is not measured by what you do, but rather how you do what you do, and what you do with it once you’re done. There are plenty of successful people who have changed the way things will forever be, but if they fail to bridge that gap between what was and what is, then all they have done was in vain. True pioneers are those who cross the rivers of change and leave a legacy that empowers those who travel in the distance to continue on way after they have come. I challenge you to be a trail blazer and to travel unknown territories. However, in doing so, know that if others cannot not follow you, then you aren’t leaving a legacy; you’re just developing a path. That’s Gurl Knowledge!
©2010, Cha Jones
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