Stand On Someone’s Shoulders
The idiom “stand on someone’s shoulders” means: to benefit from the previous work, discoveries, or achievements of those who came before you. It implies that your current success or progress is only possible because others paved the way and laid the groundwork first.
This came to my mind several times in the last couple of days. First with celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. It’s almost mind-boggling to try and think of everything we in the year 2026 have benefited from in so many ways from the inventors, scientists, leaders, entrepreneurs, family members, etc. who came before us.
The second was when I was at physical therapy. The therapist told me about a now-retired therapist who gave her many “tricks of the trade” to help patients that she was never taught when she went to school.
The third time was in a conversation I had with a tow operator who lost his dad and said, “I truly miss working wrecks with my dad, something not many understand. Sacrifice and suffering together creating strength.”
Personally, I am grateful for the dedication, leadership, contributions and wisdom of the tow ladies who came before me. They paved the way not only for me, but for all women in the towing industry — especially in gaining the respect we deserve.
Who knew shoulders carried so much more meaning than a part of the body?