Playing Your Edge is a practice of constantly stepping beyond limitation into your highest potential.
This month, I have taken this practice on fully, daily and in every cell of my body. The results have been stunning.
First of all, it seems that what is possible in a given day, has multiplied times 20. I have been getting shit done!
Secondly, when you are Playing Your Edge the mundane is thrilling. When you challenge yourself to do something that is seemingly boring yet out of your comfort zone (think taxes and contracts and such), it’s fun! You are on new terrain: “Sign on the dotted line? I’d love to. Wheee!!!”
And third, I’m pretty sure Playing Your Edge is the secret. Aristotle wrote, “Courage is the first of human qualities because it is the quality which guarantees the others.”
In other words, constantly stepping beyond your comfort zone will light you up in ways that you cannot imagine right now. You must just do it and find out.
This is our last week of exploring this theme, let’s do this.
For our last week, I’m bringing out the BIG love and giving you some tips for doing + sustaining this radical practice.
The Big 7 (In no particular order):
- Breathe. Breathe when you are figuring out your next action. Breathe while you are taking the action. And Breathe when you have completed it. Yogis call the breath, Prana, which translates to life force. And believe me, you are going to need all you can get.
- Recommit yourself every night before you go to sleep. Say a prayer or write down a message to yourself. “May I be brave. May I do what I am here to do. May I live boldly.”
- Recommit every morning with a little ritual. Make up a ‘let’s do this’ dance, mantra, or meditation. It could be a 30 second ritual in which you say to the universe: I am here, use me.
- Celebrate after. I’ve been playing my edge in business this month. I went to the Town Hall with a business partner to check on some building code issues for a new exciting venture I cannot yet speak about. I was dreading it and a little nervous. When we got our approval (so easily), I said thank you and nice to meet you like the professional I am. Then promptly stepped into the hallway and did a happy dance all the way to the door. Now when I think of going to Town Hall, I smile. Celebrate every time you play your edge.
- Sleep. Because it takes extra energy to work through our fears (which is what we are doing when we are playing our edge) we must needs REST. Playing my edge is a stimulant-I am awake and alive, a little wired even. I found sleep to be doubly important. Make sure you make time for hearty sleep. Give your body and mind time to restore.
- Don’t hang out with haters. This is on a lot of my tips lists. It shows up here again because having a friend or loved one tell you how ‘impossible this is’ or how ‘hard that is’ like wearing a backpack full of bricks. Ain’t nobody got time for that. Drop ‘em and see how light you become.
- Dare to be you. The Bravest thing you can do is actually allow yourself to BE yourself. Admit when you are insecure, out loud, to someone you trust. Don’t play into gossip to fit in. Say what you mean. Read your poem, sing your song, allow yourself to be seen. This one is a tall order but when you figure out how to do it consistently, you will be free.
Basil King said, “Be bold. The mighty forces will come to your aide” and they will. They will.
Next week we move into new territory, as us wild women tend to do. There will be a new theme & new explorations. Make this week a big one by Playing Your Edge every single day. You won’t regret it.
Truth: Where in my life am I not being true to myself? And Why?
Dare: Flip the script this week. Take action to change this pattern/habit/situation so that you feel like you. Start now.
This Thursday begins, WILD Woman Initiation in NYC. In this workshop, we will be integrating these explorations into our lives in a big way. At the end of the 5 weeks you will feel more alive, more free and more you. I sincerely hope you can be there. I’d love to work with you in the flesh! Register here.
With Wildish love,
C
P.S- If you found this article useful, share with your peeps. A world where we are all Playing Our Edge would be a world of awakened, engaged and authentic people. Here’s the link: https://thewildwomanproject.com/2013/04/playing-your-edge-7-tips-for-practicing-it/
P.S- I am so grateful for and inspired by all the amazing stories I’ve heard from those of you who have been practicing and experiencing tremendous shifts. I’d love to hear more. What happened when you dared to play your edge? How did it feel? Please Share in the comments section below.
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Chris Maddox is the founder of The Wild Woman Project where she teaches women how to utilize the gifts of the Wild Woman Archetype in their everyday lives & how to lead women’s circles in their local communities. She is the organizer & facilitator of the beloved annual WILD WOMAN FEST, a women’s retreat-festival hybrid which fosters a deep connection to nature, a direct experience of the divine feminine & profound spiritual sisterhood among the women in attendance.
An ever student of the great mysteries of existence and nature itself, Chris believes women are holding innate gifts & tools that society at large needs – now more than ever. She is committed to helping women remember their special magic and to bring it forward into every corner of their lives, for the greater good of the planet.
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