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16
Aug
by Steve30 Comments »

Are You Out On The (L)Edge?

Sometimes when you’re out on the edge it can feel like you’re actually out on a ledge. There is a difference…

On The Edge

Life at the Edge is one of power and control. You may still feel the terror of uncertainty, but when you are on the Edge you are self-determinate.

This is where the “leapsters” (those who make taking a leap of faith a habit) hang out. The energy and enthusiasm are high out on the Edge.

On The Ledge

Someone who is out on the Ledge, is “back against a wall.”

They see no other way out. Life has pushed them to the edge–of breaking–and they tenuously balance on the Ledge to keep from falling into the unknown.

Life on the Edge vs. the Ledge

Life on the Edge is characterized by the forward momentum of the pending leap. Life on the Ledge is characterized by a paralyzing fear of the unknown.

Life on the Edge calls us to embrace uncertainty and leap into the unknown. Life on the Ledge causes us to resist uncertainty and grip what is behind in order not to fall away from what is familiar.

The Takeaway

The cool thing is that if you’re on the Ledge, you can choose to move onto the Edge at any moment.

If you’re on the Edge already, what are you waiting for? Jump!

Questions for Conversation:

Are you on the Ledge or the Edge?

If you are on the Ledge, how can you move to the Edge?

If you are on the Edge, what keeps you from leaping?

If you have leaped, trust yourself. It’s called a leap of faith for a reason!

Image: digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 16th, 2011 at 7:00 am and is filed under Facing Fear, Inspirational, Personal Growth, Personal Responsibility, Reader's Choice. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
  • Earl Harville

    Hmmmm…..I would say that I’m back on the edge, but have to admit that I can sometimes slip back out onto the ledge. I am pushing myself to stay in jump mode even when the time table has to be modified. 

    • http://www.StevenERice.com Steve

      You are definitely out on the edge, my brother. You are keeping me there more than you know. You’re an encouragement and I am so excited about the future for you. (Oh, and yes, you should keep working on your album) JUMP, JUMP, JUMP!

    • http://www.KarmicKappuccino.com Steve Rice

      You are definitely out on the edge, my brother. You are keeping me there more than you know. You’re an encouragement and I am so excited about the future for you. (Oh, and yes, you should keep working on your album) JUMP, JUMP, JUMP!

  • http://twitter.com/WorkingNaked Lisa Kanarek

    I like the way you explain the different levels. What timing! Last weekend I made the decision to go from the edge and take a leap. It’s both exciting and a little scary. But I know I made the right decision and I’m looking forward to what the future holds.

    • http://www.KarmicKappuccino.com Steve Rice

      Wow, Lisa! Congratulations. You are right it is a little scary (or a lot). I’m usually terrified when I jump, so if you’re able to keep it at “a little” scary, you’re doing really well. I’m glad that this resonated with you. I’m going to be redirecting this blog in the coming weeks toward the “leapsters” (those who are jumping into the unknown). It’s something that I am doing and I want to create a place where we can all support each other in the leap.

      You’re at the right place! So glad to connect with you on twitter too!

  • http://twitter.com/WorkingNaked Lisa Kanarek

    I like the way you explain the different levels. What timing! Last weekend I made the decision to go from the edge and take a leap. It’s both exciting and a little scary. But I know I made the right decision and I’m looking forward to what the future holds.

    • http://www.StevenERice.com Steve

      Wow, Lisa! Congratulations. You are right it is a little scary (or a lot). I’m usually terrified when I jump, so if you’re able to keep it at “a little” scary, you’re doing really well. I’m glad that this resonated with you. I’m going to be redirecting this blog in the coming weeks toward the “leapsters” (those who are jumping into the unknown). It’s something that I am doing and I want to create a place where we can all support each other in the leap.

      You’re at the right place! So glad to connect with you on twitter too!

  • http://redbarnartworks.com/blog Suerae Stein

    I love the way you compare the two – great post! I tend to waffle between the edge and the ledge. I made the leap a long time ago, but seem to hover between the two ever since. Thanks for sharing! ~ Suerae

    • http://www.StevenERice.com Steve

      It is so easy to go back and forth between the edge and ledge, isn’t it, Suerae? I know that I often do the same thing you do…so this was really a post for me as much as for anyone. It’s a reminder of which I’d rather be closer to.

    • http://www.KarmicKappuccino.com Steve Rice

      It is so easy to go back and forth between the edge and ledge, isn’t it, Suerae? I know that I often do the same thing you do…so this was really a post for me as much as for anyone. It’s a reminder of which I’d rather be closer to.

  • Mullenann4

    I never thought of things like this. Thanks for giving me some food for thought.

  • http://Mazzastick.com Justin

    Hi Steve, Awesome post my friend. I prefer to live on the edge these days only because living on the ledge is way more energy draining then living on the edge.

    • http://www.StevenERice.com Steve

      Exactly, Justin! The energy drain of fear that it takes to stay on the ledge is so debilitating. Diving off the edge into the unknown is scary, but releasing the resistance is the best way to go. “Go with the flow.”

    • http://www.KarmicKappuccino.com Steve Rice

      Exactly, Justin! The energy drain of fear that it takes to stay on the ledge is so debilitating. Diving off the edge into the unknown is scary, but releasing the resistance is the best way to go. “Go with the flow.”

  • http://www.excitedbylife.com Danny Sheehan

    This is great imagery. I can imagine crawling on hands and knees to the edge and peering over or i can imagine doing a confident walk up to the ledge and jumping in to enjoy the cool ocean below. 

    • http://www.StevenERice.com Steve

      Thanks, Danny. I like the idea of a “cool ocean” as the launch of the unknown when pursuing our dreams.

    • http://www.KarmicKappuccino.com Steve Rice

      Thanks, Danny. I like the idea of a “cool ocean” as the launch of the unknown when pursuing our dreams.

  • Anonymous

    Great analogy! I definitely think that at any given moment you can be on either. Sometimes the prospect of being on the ledge can give you an edge. Sometimes I think you need just a bit of fear to keep going. If I’m not a little afraid, then maybe I’m not fully living my life right?

    • http://www.StevenERice.com Steve

      Thanks, Brandi. Glad the analogy connected. That’s a really great perspective. I never thought of it, but sometimes the discomfort of the “ledge” launches us from the edge, no?

      Appreciate you challenging the analogy to open up this unique insight.

    • http://www.KarmicKappuccino.com Steve Rice

      Thanks, Brandi. Glad the analogy connected. That’s a really great perspective. I never thought of it, but sometimes the discomfort of the “ledge” launches us from the edge, no?

      Appreciate you challenging the analogy to open up this unique insight.

  • http://cashwithatrueconscience.com/rbblog Ryan Biddulph

    Hi Steven,

    Super clever.

    I’m an edge guy. Much more fun, exciting, and empowering. When you continue to leap, it becomes a habit. When you push the boundaries, the old obstacles melt away and you become less concerned with what might happen and more focused on expecting good things to happen.

    It’s a wonderful shift which changes your life.

    Thanks Steven.

    RB

    • http://www.KarmicKappuccino.com Steve Rice

      You’re most definitely on the edge, Ryan. You are a leader from that perspective.

      I have found the same thing to be true for me this past year, as I continue to focus on leaping, then expectation of good creates greater and greater good in my life. Amazing the difference in how I used to live my life and how I now live it.

      You are right that the shift changes everything.

  • http://hollyfulfordjef.com Holly Fulford-Jeffrey

    I love the way you differentiate the two.  I am an edger, but I get into the ledger more often than I care to admit.  Sometimes that fear keeps me held back and am working on that cause being on the edge really is so much less stressful.  Not that it is calm on the edge but the energy is so much better.  Great post!

    • http://www.KarmicKappuccino.com Steve Rice

      I think everyone’s in the same boat, Holly. Our spirit pushes us to the edge…we want to jump, but the ledge calls us back to safety and security.

      The edge really is less stressful because when you’re on the edge ready to take a leap you’re moving with the flow of life instead of trying to hold it back. It takes so much energy to resist.

      Appreciate your insight.

  • http://punkrockpsychic.com Lisa

    I like that part about the ledge and being against the wall. I never thought of it that way. How cool. Thanks for sharing!

    • http://www.KarmicKappuccino.com Steve Rice

      Glad the analogy held up for you, Lisa. It’s interesting to me how we can be in the “same place” as Gustavo said, yet feel completely differently. When you’re at the edge about to jump off it’s scary, but exhilarating. On the ledge, you feel like your back’s against the wall. It’s terrifying and you feel cornered.

  • http://profiles.google.com/gustrafo gustavo silva

    What a great analogy.

    You can be at the edge or at the edge being at the same
    spot, it is all about the way you choose to see it (like the half empty glass
    of water).

    • http://www.KarmicKappuccino.com Steve Rice

      Thanks, Gustavo. Yes, it is how you look at it. You can be at the same place but it all depends on how you react as to what the results will be.

  • http://twitter.com/SherrieKoretke Sherrie Koretke

    I’m on the ledge with one foot hanging off, how is that? Maybe I’m waiting for something to give me a push. I better decide quick because life has a way of making the choice for you. Great post, Steven!

    • http://www.KarmicKappuccino.com Steve Rice

      You’re right, life will push us from the edge if we wait too long to jump. I think it’s more that life energy is constantly fluid and so if we quit moving for any extended length of time, it is like a strong current in the river that gets stopped up…eventually it’s gonna break open. Better (IMO) to relax into the flow of life and jump from one leap of faith to the next.