The Bridge

Have you ever really thought about life?

Have you ever tried to understand the world you live in?

It’s important to break past the tunnel vision and gain new perspectives.

Billions smile, enjoy life and chase their dreams.

Billions cry, pray for better days and hope to survive.

How many times have you heard people say, “Ds get degrees!”

These are the same people who sit there during exams:

Writing on desks,

Writing on their hands,

Writing on their thighs,

Trying to get by with that “D”

Trying to get by in life as average individuals.

Sierra Leone. Bangladesh. Zimbabwe. Afghanistan. Haiti. Burundi.

My peers in these countries are also

Writing on desks,

Writing on their hands,

Writing on their thighs,

Trying to get by… without paper and books.

Trying to get by… without a formal education.

Trying to get by… in a society where a bright future is essentially out of the picture.

Nike. Adidas. Puma. Reebok. Basics. Vans. Gucci.

These are all shoes my peers wear on campus.

These are all shoes my peers use to get from point A to point B.

In a different context,

If point A is college and point B is the future,

Where exactly is point B for most of these people?

They don’t care.

Did you forget?

They’re just trying to get by.

Ripped sneakers. Sandals. Barefoot.

These all leave footprints on broken roads.

These footprints easily vanish with the breeze of the wind.

These footprints don’t symbolize a simple act, such as walking.

These footprints symbolize hope and determination.

These footprints hope for a better tomorrow.

These footprints are determined to break the status-quo.

Close your eyes.

Imagine a lecture hall at your university with every hand in the air trying to ask a question.

Imagine a library comprised of students seemingly worshipping their textbooks.

Imagine a student next to you crying because of a good grade.

Imagine a student next to you crying because they received a diploma.

Imagine a student next to you crying because they were just offered a job.

Imagine yourself looking down at your sneakers, but it’s not you walking.

That’s what life would be like if THEY were in YOUR shoes!

Wake up and smell the roses!

Success won’t just fall onto your lap.

Success demands hard work, ambition, and appreciation.

Use the bridge that education provides you with.

Use the bridge that billions of people dream of walking across.

Cherish that bridge.

Cherish the opportunity at hand.

Remind yourself of your peers around the world,

I know I will.

Thank you - Sierra Leone. Bangladesh. Zimbabwe. Afghanistan. Haiti. Burundi.