“The edge is a sign that things will happen.” – Tristan Gooley
This quote made my mind explode. It’s found within Gooley’s wonderful book “The Nature Instinct: Relearning Our Lost Intuition for the Inner Workings of the Natural World.” It contains so much wisdom about Nature; I highly recommend it.
Gooley writes about how we can expect to observe much more activity at Nature’s edges—where water meets land, where high ground slopes into low ground, where woods meet open prairie.
This all led to me to think about the “edges” we experience in our life journeys. What they represent, and how we respond to them.
Edges are transition zones. They denote the opportunity to move from one place to another.
Getting to an edge can look a variety of ways. You may choose to visit an edge. You may suddenly find yourself there against your choosing. You may simply be at a time in life when you’ve arrived at an edge.
Examples of edges are: having a baby, moving, experiencing an illness, death of a loved one, changing jobs, graduations, birthdays. Edges are essentially milestones.
Like edges in Nature, milestones come in all shapes and sizes. They can be clear as day or quite subtle.
Mindful self-awareness enables you to more easily recognize even the subtle edges, and understand that they’re a time when decisions are available to you.
Naturally, edges can cause heightened emotions and sensitivity. Your fight-flight-freeze instincts may kick in. You may feel vulnerable, exposed, anxious. These feelings are all normal. Recognize that these feelings are a natural response to an edge, and choose to send yourself compassion. This helps you find the stillness you need for clarity in your next decisions.
The edge is an intersection of where you’ve come from, and where you have the opportunity to go next.
Do you choose to return to what you’ve known (understanding that things may well change)?
Do you choose to venture forward into the new zone?
Do you choose to hang out and experience the edge for awhile?
Do you choose to move into the new zone, taking it one step at a time?
Do you choose to charge headlong into the new zone and take it as it comes?
Only you can know the answer. There is no “right” or “wrong” choice. The most important thing is that you chose your next step with intention.
Your self-awareness and self-compassion will allow you to see edges as a zone of great richness and diversity.
Why? Nature’s edge is suitable for a broad range of creatures, those preferring one habitat plus those preferring the other. There they mingle and interact. They experience new frictions there, and also unusual alliances.
Similarly, your edges are rich with opportunity to reflect and integrate the lessons of your life experience. This enables you to identify and release what does not serve you, refine how (and where) you want to be in the world, and gain clarity for taking your next step.
Yes, indeed, edges are surely a sign that things will happen. And, in fact, things will happen whether or not you decide the next step. But this is your life journey. So, honor yourself, and choose to experience the edges of your life with self-awareness and intention. Create your path. Every day.
Ready to cultivate and embrace your intuitive, natural wisdom? Schedule a 30-minute Breakthrough Session and get started! It would be my honor to support you on your unique journey with Nature as our companion.