Building Bridges Word by Word aims to be a space where we can share our stories and discover what connects us. But we can’t do it without you. Come join us.
We live in challenging times. Every day, we see signs of how polarized we are and how our divisions seem to grow ever wider, ever deeper, ever louder. Yet, many of us long for a way through this turmoil, for a way to bridge our divides. To do so, we need safe spaces where we can step back from these rifts, listen to each other’s stories, and discover that no matter how different we may be, we have many of the same fears, hopes, and dreams.
Read the Stories and meet the people who wrote them.
Click on the cards below to read stories inspired by poetry, sayings, quotes, or songs. Wander around and see which stories speak to you. You might find a story that reminds you of something that happened to you. Or perhaps there’s one that focuses on a saying you heard long ago, but it meant something completely different to you and now you’re hearing it in a new way. Or maybe their song, the one they wrote about, is also your song. Whatever the case may be, each story is a piece of the bridge we are building together.
Wander around and see which stories speak to you. Each story contributes to our collective experiences, creating a bridge of shared understanding.
Reflect on a meaningful saying, quote, song or poem. It could be a favorite saying, a quote that inspires or challenges you, or a heart-touching song or poem.
Reflect on how the words express your beliefs, anchor you in an uncertain world, or aid you in grieving, healing, celebrating, empathizing, and gaining new perspectives.
Click on the cards below to read stories inspired by poetry, sayings, quotes, or songs. Wander around and see which stories speak to you. You might find a story that reminds you of something that happened to you. Or perhaps there’s one that focuses on a saying you heard long ago, but it meant something completely different to you and now you’re hearing it in a new way. Or maybe their song, the one they wrote about, is also your song. Whatever the case may be, each story is a piece of the bridge we are building together.
We invite you to write a short reflection on a saying, quote, poem, or song that has meaning for you. What might this be? Perhaps it’s a saying that you heard your mother say a thousand times and loved it or resented it and maybe later came to appreciate it or maybe not. Or perhaps it’s a quote that you’ve taped to your refrigerator or added to the bottom of your emails because it captures some way you feel about the world or reminds you to think or act differently. Or poem that speaks or a song that makes your heart sing, weep, or dance.
For your reflection, you might write about how the words give voice to what you believe. How they ground you in a world that may feel unsettled and unbalanced. How they help you to grieve, heal or celebrate. How they help you see things in a different way or understand someone else. As you think about what you might write, please review the guidelines (with prompts to consider). We look forward to hearing from you.
Click on the cards below to read stories inspired by poetry, sayings, quotes, or songs. Wander around and see which stories speak to you. You might find a story that reminds you of something that happened to you. Or perhaps there’s one that focuses on a saying you heard long ago, but it meant something completely different to you and now you’re hearing it in a new way. Or maybe their song, the one they wrote about, is also your song. Whatever the case may be, each story is a piece of the bridge we are building together.
We invite you to write a short reflection on a saying, quote, poem, or song that has meaning for you. What might this be? Perhaps it’s a saying that you heard your mother say a thousand times and loved it or resented it and maybe later came to appreciate it or maybe not. Or perhaps it’s a quote that you’ve taped to your refrigerator or added to the bottom of your emails because it captures some way you feel about the world or reminds you to think or act differently. Or poem that speaks or a song that makes your heart sing, weep, or dance.
For your reflection, you might write about how the words give voice to what you believe. How they ground you in a world that may feel unsettled and unbalanced. How they help you to grieve, heal or celebrate. How they help you see things in a different way or understand someone else. As you think about what you might write, please review the guidelines (with prompts to consider). We look forward to hearing from you.
Click on the cards below to search by topic. Can’t find what you are looking for? Use the search function in the navigation to search for a specific person, theme, or word.
We invite you to write a short reflection on a saying, quote, poem, or song that has meaning for you. What might this be? Perhaps it’s a saying that you heard your mother say a thousand times and loved it or resented it and maybe later came to appreciate it or maybe not. Or perhaps it’s a quote that you’ve taped to your refrigerator or added to the bottom of your emails because it captures some way you feel about the world or reminds you to think or act differently. Or poem that speaks or a song that makes your heart sing, weep, or dance.
For your reflection, you might write about how the words give voice to what you believe. How they ground you in a world that may feel unsettled and unbalanced. How they help you to grieve, heal or celebrate. How they help you see things in a different way or understand someone else. As you think about what you might write, please review the guidelines (with prompts to consider) and then send in your story using the form here, or sending it to ADDRESS. We look forward to hearing from you.
With all that’s going on these days – with the ever-deepening chasms in our society and growing threats to the very survival of our democracy – I find it hard not to be overwhelmed and exhausted. I know I am not alone in this. It’s all too easy to fall prey to exhaustion due to the challenges and uncertainties we continue to face.
With all that’s going on these days – with the ever-deepening chasms in our society and growing threats to the very survival of our democracy – I find it hard not to be overwhelmed and exhausted. I know I am not alone in this. It’s all too easy to fall prey to exhaustion due to the challenges and uncertainties we continue to face.
If you have any questions about getting involved and telling your story, please do not hesitate to contact us at buildingbridgeswbw@gmail.com.