Bridge or Barricade?

Barricade people are those who prevent us from doing what we truly want to do.  They discourage and shove us in the direction of their personal wishes, fearing our actions will make them look bad.  Has there been a barricade in your life?

Bridge people are those who encourage and support our decisions and efforts.  These people make life easier for us, and, because of them, we're more apt to reach our goals and achieve personal satisfaction.  Has there been a bridge in your life?

Then there are the bridge-barricade people who keep us in suspense, and we never know if they're going to be a bridge or a barricade.  I can say first hand that dealing with this type of person adds an extra layer of ridiculous drama to absolutely every situation.  Eventually one learns how to play the game and stands ready to accept defeat.  Has there been a bridge-barricade in your life?

Wouldn't it be interesting to know, over the course of history, how many personal ambitions have been wrongfully barricaded and how many inborn talents were never tapped. There's an underlying tone of sadness in that thought, and it makes me wonder what part of me lies buried and unfulfilled.