In all walks of life, when destiny or desire realizes a disruptive decision, the traits deployed in negotiating the shift from the existing state to the next define the sustenance or severance of ties with the subject(s) left behind. Such ties are figuratively called ‘Bridges’ hung from the permutation of the beams like affinity, compromise, addiction, and mutual goodwill and/or benefit. These Bridges stretch across an abyss of directionless oblivion, where neither could one trace their way back nor could the past crawl through to patch up.
At times, these ‘Bridges’ emerge in the guise of escape plans, a Plan B. For instance, an entrepreneur with an ambition to scale unexplored domains containing abundant potential may be enticed to settle for less, a Plan B, when challenged by financial constraints, lack of time, and familial/societal pressure. To prevent one’s lifetime ambitions to be diluted to naught, burning that Bridge to mediocrity, the Plan B and its source, shall accrue the intensity of the focus and ensure the inevitability to pursue the original course of action with no scope for digression.
Similarly, in one’s resolution to abstain from toxic relationships or unhealthy/unsavory practices/habits/jobs, the probability of being chuted down to square one through the slippery Bridges of past acquaintances and ambience is high. Once again, it is only right that these slippery Bridges are burnt to ensure that there is no point of return for the entities at either ends. It is just like burning a bridge during war, wherein, even at the face of defeat, the chance to retreat is annulled to avoid the gruesome possibility of encountering the enemy left behind.
But, there are mixed feelings and opinions about burning Bridges. In the cases alike the scenarios disclosed above, the decision to burn Bridges is totally unflawed. Contrastingly, a majority of the changeover decisions otherwise require the nurturing and strengthening of the Bridges to ensure the hassle-free transition to the desired target. These Bridges have proven to have become
channels of productive interaction and transaction, and even as the portals to safe havens at the face of adversity.
Dr. Tina Seelig, Ph.D., in her blog titled It’s a Small World... Don’t Burn Bridges states, “we live in such a small world, it is critically important not to burn bridges - no matter how tempted you might be! You aren’t going to like everyone and everyone isn’t going to like you, but there’s no need to make enemies. For example, when you look for your next job, it’s quite likely that the person interviewing you will know someone you know. In this way your reputation precedes you everywhere you go”. [1]
In light of Dr. Seelig’s statement and the preceding deliberations, the aspects that might stay ‘Bridged’ or cut-off from a person while fulfilling a productive conviction could be tangible like people, property, and physical anomalies, and/or intangible like goodwill, prospects, envy, and disease. Based on the nature of the predicament, it is only the cognizance to appreciate and classify the bridges that should be preserved and the ones that have to be incinerated is of crucial importance while making milestone decisions. The wise discretion to judge whether to burn or
not to burn a Bridge, and the tactful, yet, decisive execution of the inferences would certainly realize the undeterred conduct of one’s desired course of positive progression.
References:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/creativi- tyrulz/200908/its-small-world-dont-burn-bridges .