Living on the Ledge
The cliff no one likes to hang around at
Ledges are scary for everyone. It’s that weird spot where there’s not total security, but just enough to keep you safe from what’s a few feet away from you. It’s a constant thought process of comfort and discomfort when you’re living life on the ledge. And I don’t mean doing crazy stunts and “yoloing” your way through everything. The ledge I’m referring to is a way of living where you are constantly challenging the unknown. You are not totally safe on the platform, nor are you on the other side, where nothing can hold you. You’re in the middle of the two. You’re standing on the ledge of your life.
Being constantly challenged by the unknown sounds exhausting. The truth is, it certainly is. It’s difficult to be in that state of mind of pushing to higher heights on a daily basis. When you’re intentional with your growth, you know when you win a day or lose one. You know if you didn’t accomplish a task that you set for yourself the night before. Most importantly, you’re aware of whether you're growing or not. Intentional growth means living life on the edge. It’s constantly shedding a new version of yourself to prepare for and accommodate what’s waiting for you on the other side. The funny part is, you don’t know what’s on the other side! You don’t know if you’re going to fly or fall flat on your face. The unknown scares people all the way back onto the platform and sometimes even to their cars. Only those who dare to explore the unknown will reap the fruits that come along with taking that risk. These types of fruits are reserved only for those who pay the price. The unknown alone separates the successful from the unsuccessful. The unknown is the ledge.
The Ledge
The ledge is the unknown; the unknown develops fear because we aren’t familiar with what’s on the other side. When we aren’t familiar with something, we tend to take a step back. This reaction has been preprogrammed in our human DNA since the beginning. Our ancestors only had one job, and that was to survive. They survived by resorting to what they knew and what kept them safe. Does that sound familiar?
Self-reflection: Did you create a life of familiarity? Do you tend to stick with what works because that’s what you grew up believing?
You see, living a life of familiarity isn’t bad. It’s what keeps food on our table, water in our mouths, and the blessing of carrying on a family generation. That within itself is a huge accomplishment for a person. However, the ones who are curious and innovate their lifestyles are people who live on the ledge. These are your Abraham Lincolns, Martin Luther Kings, Bill Gates, Leonardo Da Vinci, and many more. These historians all decided to test the unknown over and over again. They didn’t know what would happen; they trusted their intuition and learned along the way. This is the meaning of “living on the ledge." Not knowing where the F*** your going, but still challenging the unknown. These are the playwrights, these are the warriors of the army, and these are the leaders that lead generations.
How to live your life on the ledge
How can you live life on the ledge? Simple. Do something hard every day. Do something that scares you. If you’re an introvert, make a commitment to strike up a conversation with a stranger every day. If you’re a late sleeper, make a commitment to wake up early every day. If you’re scared of other people’s opinions, post something that you like that others maybe wouldn’t care about. You see, living life on the ledge means getting used to being uncomfortable. Everyone has a unique set of uncomfortable actions that they shy away from. Find out what yours are and find a way to test these obstacles on a daily basis. The unknown won’t be as unknown anymore. In fact, the unknown will be your friend because you’re used to doing these things after a while. Once you accomplish this, nothing can stop you. You embrace the ledge instead of shying away from it. You are doing what most people won’t. Constantly challenge the unknown, and you will reap the benefits that come along with the price.