Bridges Quote by Utah Phillips
“Time is an enormous, long river, and I’m standing in it, just as you’re standing in it. My elders are the tributaries, and everything they thought and every struggle they went through and everything they gave their lives to, and every song they created, and every poem that they laid down flows down to me – and if I take the time to ask, and if I take the time to see, and if I take the time to reach out, I can build that bridge between my world and theirs. I can reach down into that river and take out what I need to get through this world”
About This Quote
Source Spoken word: Live performance, 1990s
Life flows like a river; ancestors are tributaries that shape us, and by listening we can draw needed wisdom.
In simple terms: Ancestors influence us; listening provides guidance.
Key Takeaway
Seek wisdom from past generations.
Themes
heritage
memory
intergenerational
growth
reflection
Mood
nostalgic
hopeful
Type
inspirational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- family history research
- cultural preservation
- personal healing
- mentorship
Key Concepts
continuity
storytelling
personal development
Questions to Reflect On
- What lessons from your ancestors can you apply today?
- How do you honor their struggles while forging your own path?
A Different Perspective
Relying solely on the past may hinder innovation.
![“I said, "OK, Ammon [Hennacy], I will try that." He said, "You came into the world armed to the teeth. With an arsenal of weapons, weapons of privilege, economic privilege, sexual privilege, racial privilege. You want to be a pacifist, you're not just going to have to give up guns, knives, clubs…” quote by Utah Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/daf/utah-phillips-15584_angry_i-said-ok-ammon-hennacy-i-will-try-that_1112006.jpg)
