The Wisdom at the Edge

Jan 09, 2025

We often think of ourselves as fixed beings, but science tells us otherwise. Our twenty-year-old brain shares less in common with our fifty-year-old self than our thirty-year-old brain does. This isn't surprising - each lived experience shapes and transforms us, whether we're paying attention or not.

This understanding of continuous growth led me to a yearly ritual. Every January, I pause to ask: "Who will be my next teacher?" While social media offers bite-sized wisdom - those quick hits of inspiration we scroll through daily - I'm seeking something more profound. I'm looking for guides who will sit with me in the deep waters, who will challenge my assumptions and help me explore life's boundaries.

Edges are where life flourishes. Consider a pond's shoreline, where water meets land. These transition zones burst with life - insects buzzing, plants thriving, creatures darting between worlds. The most vibrant activity happens precisely because two different ecosystems converge. The edge isn't just a boundary; it's a zone of transformation, a place where new possibilities emerge from the meeting of different worlds.

The teachers I seek have walked these edges themselves. They tend to be seasoned travelers of life's paths - individuals who carry wisdom earned through experience. Their questions kindle my courage. Their presence helps me glimpse who I'm becoming. Most importantly, they reflect back to me that my journey matters. This kind of mentorship transcends the fleeting satisfaction of a social media post; it offers something deeper - a true connection that transforms.

Who in your life serves as your edge-walking guide, standing beside you as you explore these rich borderlands of becoming?