A few years ago, I went through a period of success in my business that was wonderful and at that point no longer new. It was a plateau of sorts that had me wondering – what is it that I’m really doing? What’s the point? What’s the deeper meaning of the work coming through me as success for success’ sake is just a boring way to live a life.
In my inquiry, I brought different questions to my coaches, ceremony spaces, and quiet contemplative moments. It was a long period, about 6 months, of patience, trust, and curiosity.
One night, at around 3 in the morning, I woke up and felt compelled to grab my computer off the floor and start typing. This was very strange for me but I did it. And wow. The question arose, seemingly out of the middle of nowhere: How do I do what I do?
I needed to acknowledge my success, my gifts, and the communities I’ve built that people have been drawn to over many years and in many contexts, and to be honest with myself that YES, I have a thing that is amazing that I do, and that’s what people want more than the context of our work.
So I started typing and this is what emerged. Each of these principles of living a great life I’ve learned through such experience, they are marked into my being.
They are one of my favorite ways of getting to know a new or potential clients, students, and friends (seeing which they are drawn to and which they are confused/resistant about).
May they serve you well.
~~~~~~~
Edge-Walker Manifesto
Be seduced by horizons.
Be delighted by cliffs.
Relentlessly pursue both.
Indulge a commitment to firsts.
Become your own lighthouse.
Embrace uncertainty like a surfer does waves.
Make your taboos your bucket list.
Be fluid with your identity.
Become exceptional at entering other people’s worlds.
Cultivate surrender.
Hire people to take you out of control.
Set-up soft landings.
Build a haven on solid ground.
Make your body happy.
Fuck.
Don’t give a fuck.
Connect opposites.
Only give what you want to.
Want to give everything.
Show off your scars with pride.
Wrap yourself in beauty.
Become a bridge for other edge-walkers.
Never cross an edge in order to prove something.
The “Universe” is chaos. You can handle it.
When you find yourself in hell, help others. It’s the short-cut out.
At the peaks, ask yourself – “Who is having this experience?”
It’s not about you.
~~~~~~~
There it is. I’m curious – which ones are you familiar with and are also marked into your being? And which ones stand out as unfamiliar?
And have you wondered – how do you do what you do?
What is your manifesto?
