Saturday, March 30, 2013

ON THE EDGE



We all have moments when we are on the edge.  A little bit of poetry.  A little bit of prose.  An important and transformative moment in my life. 

Sometimes we are on the edge and we don’t know where we are going.   I found myself in that very place as I stood on the edge of an 85 foot cliff.  At that edge, I readied to rappel, not sure of the descent.  Pushing my physical and emotional self to the limit.  I knew I was going down.   And I didn’t know what that descent would bring.  Sitting back into the air, held by ropes, inching over into space, a release came.  I embraced the fear.  I sat gingerly and purposely into pure space, embracing the unknown, I began the trip down.

Sometimes we are on the edge and we don’t know where we are going.  Circumstances happen that take us unexpectedly to a new place. On that cliff’s edge, as I waited, my body merged with an emotional reality.  This year would be a different year.  An unknown year for me.   I would not be going back to a job I loved, students and teachers I loved.  I would not be buying my “first day” outfit for the first time since I was in kindergarten.  I knew my life was changing.  And I didn’t know what that change would bring.   This year will be different.  I sat back and let become, not knowing what the descent into a new place would bring.  On the edge of that cliff, I inched over into space, letting go of what will come.  I embraced the fear and the sadness.  I embraced the unknown and moved into the future.


Resurrection 

Last summer
I rappelled down a cliff.
Planted on the edge,
White knuckles gripping
fear-squeezed rope,
I leaned
into hollow space
to begin the travel
downward to the earth
awaiting my arrival.

Life is a journey,
passing moment by moment
to the unknown—
On the edge,
leaning out into space,
traveling to unknown territory.
On the edge of becoming—
not certain,
becoming not yet revealed.

As I descend, so I will rise.
Becoming my purpose,
Unknown revealed to known.




Please watch the video link below that shows me descending an 85 foot cliff--as well as a number of remarkable events on my week at LeaderShape.  Thanks to my friend, Jen, who put this beautiful video together.


15 comments:

  1. This is clearly written from the core of your being, as you are discovering that there is more to you than your teaching, your co-workers, your students. Teaching is part of what many of us are "supposed" to do in our lives to better our souls. But there is always more--always something unknown.

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    1. Thanks for your response, Chris. When one enters the unknown, beautiful things occur. This month of writing for SOLS has been one of those unknowns for which I am very grateful.

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  2. It's a beautiful piece, Deborah, and the video brought tears to my eyes. I have done many of those things with my students, & it was never easy, I know. What a group to work with & be with. You must have loved each day!

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    1. Thanks, Linda, for your kind words. It has been great to get to know you and your writing and share me and mine with you this month.

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  3. Wow! The writing, the experience, all of it. Wow!

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  4. This was so beautifully crafted - physical challenge paralleling a challenge of your soul. And the poem captured the very essence of that journey, especially these words:
    As I descend, so I will rise.
    Becoming my purpose,
    Unknown revealed to known.

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  5. Thank you for your kind words. There are moments when we write from the heart and beautiful things occur.

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  6. "I leaned into hollow space"

    I love the imagery. Lovely, powerful poem.

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  7. Deborah, you are awesome! Your poem speaks so clearly. Life is a journey and our purpose will be revealed. You will know what is right for you.
    My heart is still racing at the thought of that rappelling. Wow! You are brave.

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  8. Thanks, so much, Elsie! Believe me, my heart was racing! And it was a pivotal moment that caused my heart to race for other reasons too. I will continue to enjoy reading your blog posts after this challenge!

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  9. This is such an inspiring post! I love the last lines of your poem. What courage it took to go off that wall, and what courage it takes to move to the known into the unknown. I've moved to different grade levels, accepted the challenge of becoming the school's literacy specialist, but I don't think I'm brave enough to do repel off an 85 foot cliff. Good for you!
    Catherine

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  10. Wow. You are so brave. Just wow. Watching this clip made me very nervous and very inspired at the same time (not a heights or adrenaline gal). The connection you make between this physical challenge and the challenge of life and career is so dead-on perfect. We just never know.

    "As I descend, so I will rise.
    Becoming my purpose,
    Unknown revealed to known."

    I am very proud to call you my friend. Happy Easter.
    xo,
    a.

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  11. Not only a writer who creates the visual for this reader, you are a chemist who blends your emotions with the elements. And then adding the video crystallized what you described.. Thanks, Deb

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