Dear Friends,

One of the most famous and revered of Tibetan kings is known as Tang Tong Gyalpo. He lived in the fifteenth century.

Unlike other kings who became famous for military conquests, foreign relations, or brutality, Tan Tong is remembered as being a bridge builder.

During his reign he built hundreds of sturdy iron bridges over the wide Himalayan rivers which run through the Tibetan plateaus.

Until those bridges were built - and some remain to this day - crossing those rivers could be treacherous, particularly in the rainy seasons when the rivers would swell and flow furiously.

In order to build those bridges, Tang Tong developed technologies which were highly advanced and original. Prior to his time, no one had been able to build long, sturdy iron bridges. To this day, King Tang Tong Gyalpo continues to be revered and appreciated by the people of Tibet.

His life as a bridge-builder is a beautiful metaphor for the way all of us ought to live our lives.

Would not our communities and cities be more pleasant, more kind, more gentle and more hospitable places if each one of us sought to be someone's bridge over troubled waters?

When people face great personal challenges and feel as though they may drown in them, it is a good friend who appears and becomes their bridge to safety.

Just consider the endless opportunities which come your way, often daily, to be just that kind of friend to another person.

Even though you are grieving a loss, reach out. Help another person. Be someone's bridge over troubled waters.