Intentionality in Creating Bridges, by Mickie Brown, RN
“Bridges are not always apparent. To create a bridge requires intent and caring. It’s finding that sweet spot that opens a relationship to possibility and ultimately bridges the gap in human hearts to enhance all humanity.” ~ Mickie Brown
The metaphor of the bridge is such an inspiration to me particularly in a media world pedaling fear and tragedy. I am struck by our need and capacity to hold so many conflicting emotions- fear and courage, sadness and happiness, grief and love – and the list goes on and our lives move forward. That is why I’m so impressed (but not surprised) that Emily has taken the pulse of our world. In a time when there is so much to hold and process, she has provided an opportunity to look more deeply into our own souls to express how this metaphor can be meaningful to each of us. Thank you, Emily!
One of the primary concepts of mindfulness is “intention.” Our intention guides our attention and our choice of attitude. Living a life with intention ensures that we are living our life with purpose in support of our personal values. This is in contrast to reacting to circumstances and being tossed about by everchanging conditions within our environment. In Buddhist psychology there is an attitude called “don’t know mind” or “beginners mind” or in everyday lexicon “curiosity.” When we cultivate this quality of mind, we embrace questioning, learning and being surprised. An African proverb teaches that “A wise man never knows all, only fools know everything.”
This is where the metaphor of the bridge supports me in deeply knowing there is more to be learned. Whether in relationship or observing a situation as it unfolds, can we bridge that gap between knowing and questioning? Can we cultivate this quality of “don’t know mind.” This does not mean we are not firm in our convictions but within that firmness is a sensitivity and opening to possibility. This has been a guiding principle for me to aspire to.
A well-known experiment in psychology is called the “Invisible Gorilla” experiment or the selective attention test. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJG698U2Mvo
This experiment emphasizes the nature of directed attention and the phenomenon known as “inattentional blindness.” This is a clear demonstration of how, when we are overwhelmed by too much sensory input - and for many of us, that is every moment of the day - we do not even know how much we are missing!!
And so, as our world moves forward at dizzying speed, I try to intentionally step back from human “doing” and embrace human “being” more fully for several moments in each day. Can we trust that when we adopt an attitude of “not knowing” - the gaps and the bridges will fall into place seamlessly? And as I open myself - and we open ourselves to connection and possibility, we will bridge the gap between human hearts to enhance all humanity.
