Two Brothers Who Share The Edge

They arrive about 7:30 a.m. at the rink.  They sit and do leg stretches while moving their fingers across their smartphones as quickly as they move their feet on the ice.  

They are brothers and they are amazing.

One of my favorite things about life on the edge is the people I am getting to know.  As soon as Graham (one of the brothers) appeared on the ice my first day at the rink, I could see that he was very good.  He was very focused and when he landed on the ice from his amazing jumps, I could hear it throughout the whole rink.  I still can't quite describe how it sounds.  One day I saw him do a full routine to a piece of music and it was incredible, but most days he spends his time jumping.

Then I found him on youtube.  I was blown away.  I didn't know he was British Junior Men’s champion. I get to work beside a skater like this every day of the week.  He inspires me.  I watch him and learn.

I envy the relationship these 2 brothers obviously have, living on the edge.  Sometimes they just glide along talking to each other.  Most times, they work hard on their jumps.

Torvill and Dean 1984 Olympic Gold Winners

Graham (youngest brother) just returned from Sarajevo for the 30th anniversary of an Olympic (gold) pair of British skaters (pic on the R) from 1984.  He skated in an exhibition as part of the celebration.  His big brother Jack didn't seem to skate with quite the same energy while his brother was away.

That's understandable.  The edge is much more comforting when you have someone with you.

Who in your life can become your 'brother' on your journey?

Who can you be a 'brother' to?

Enjoy watching these brothers skate.  It's a daily privilege and inspiration for me.

Watch Graham Newberry skate here.
Watch Jack Newberry skate here.

Click here to read about Graham Newberry skating in Sarajevo for the 30th anniversary 1984 Olympic Gold celebration.

A Box of Kleenexes

Every skater brings their own box of kleenexes.  One of the girls brings a pretty sparkly box with drink, tissues and other interesting trivia (not sure what) and sets it on the side of the rink.

Everyone is blowing their nose throughout the morning.  It's not that we are emotional.  It's too cold to be emotional.  It's just the nature of the sport. You can't ice skate without the ice.  You can't have ice without cold temperatures.  Cold temperatures mean runny noses, rosy cheeks and ears.  We are a sight to behold.

It's ok though, because we are all in the same boat (even if it is on frozen water).  No one seems exempt.  In fact, the first day I was there, I didn't think about the fact that I would need kleenexes, so I wasn't prepared.  I finally noticed half-way through the morning that a box of tissues mysteriously appeared on the side of the rink.  I was so relieved and began to help myself.  But I couldn't figure out why they weren't there earlier.  I must have just been scatterbrained and missed them I concluded.

I later came to realize that someone was putting them out everyday.  I began to wonder if they really were for everyone or just the guy who put them out.  After all, others began showing up with their own box.

It wasn't until the end of my fourth week there that I asked someone and found out that everyone is supposed to bring their own supply.  Uh oh.  Once I feel more comfortable with the boy who put his box out and unknowingly shared with me, I will replace the ones I used and apologize, explaining that I didn't know the custom of the rink.  Maybe he already knows and finds it funny that I freely helped myself.

There was a time not so long ago that I used a lot of kleenexes but it wasn't because of an ice rink.  It was because my heart was very frigid and wounded, trying to protect itself from pain.  As I begin to walk in healing and wholeness, I have less need for tissues.  I'm so glad.  Of course there will always be a part of me that cries at Hallmark commercials and tears up when I see a father walk his daughter down the marriage aisle, but that's the regular old me and I don't mind.  

Life on the edge can be emotional, sometimes due to outside elements and sometimes from inside stuff. Either way, keep a box of kleenexes handy.  Eventually you will heal and perhaps not need so many.  

I Want To See You Be Brave

They play this song at the ice rink and I was so inspired by it that I went looking for the lyrics.  

I really relate to this video.  The daring people who dance in spite of others staring them down.  

That's how I feel when I skate.  

I am saying what I want to say and becoming who I want to be. 

I am learning to be brave.  

Thanks Sara Bareilles for this amazing song.  Link to video.

Brave

You can be amazing

You can turn a phrase into a weapon or a drug

You can be the outcast

Or be the backlash of somebody’s lack of love

Or you can start speaking up

Nothing’s gonna hurt you the way that words do

When they settle ‘neath your skin

Kept on the inside and no sunlight

Sometimes a shadow wins

But I wonder what would happen if you

Say what you wanna say

And let the words fall out

Honestly 

I wanna see you be brave

With what you want to say

And let the words fall out

Honestly 

I wanna see you be brave

Everybody’s been there

Everybody’s been stared down by the enemy

Fallen for the fear

And done some disappearing

Bow down to the mighty

Don’t run, just stop holding your tongue

Maybe there’s a way out of the cage where you live

Maybe one of these days you can let the light in

Show me how big your brave is

Say what you wanna say

And let the words fall out

Honestly 

I wanna see you be brave

With what you want to say

And let the words fall out

Honestly 

I wanna see you be brave

And since your history of silence

Won’t do you any good,

Did you think it would?

Let your words be anything but empty

Why don’t you tell them the truth?

Say what you wanna say

And let the words fall out

Honestly 

I wanna see you be brave

With what you want to say

And let the words fall out

Honestly 

I wanna see you be brave

Understanding The Edge

edge

noun

1. 1.

   a place or part farthest away from the center of something.

   • an area next to a steep drop.
   • the point or state immediately before something unpleasant or momentous occurs. 
2. 2.

   the sharpened side of the blade of a cutting implement or weapon.

   • the line along which two surfaces of a solid meet.
   • an intense, sharp, or striking quality.
   • a quality or factor that gives superiority over close rivals or competitors.

verb

2. 1.

   move gradually, carefully, or furtively in a particular direction.

   
   

   These are the official meanings of the word "edge".  (from the internet).

   
   

   In my life, living on the edge means pursuing things that seem strange or meaningless to someone peering into my life.  

   
   

   Taking up figure skating has pushed me to the edge of what I believe.  It rises up in the face of all that I had embraced about life and challenges me to think in new ways.

   
   

   The elephant diet (blog theme for 2013) challenged me to answer the question...."who do you think you are?".  As I was able to unpack that question and begin to answer it, a more confident Frances has emerged.  Joyful, happy, content, confident....the new me.

   
   

   This year, I can already tell the question is different....."what on earth are you thinking girl?".   

   
   

   I'm 47 and I'm putting on a new pair of skates and learning how to figure skate.  Oh yes, I thought I knew how to ice skate, and the truth is, I could get around the ice on my skates.  But figure skate?  THAT is another story altogether.  I have a deep respect for the sport as I learn the intricacies of what really happens on the ice.

   
   

   In my head, I can hear voices telling me things like: "this is ridiculous and luxurious and you should be ashamed of yourself for taking the time and resources to do this.  God would never want you to pursue something like this, it's a waste of time.  He doesn't want you to enjoy life, it should be all serious and heavy." 

   
   

   Since it is my desire to inspire you through what I write in this blog, I am committed to honesty and vulnerability.  

   
   

   It has rearranged my home life - I no longer make breakfast for my husband and sit with him for a while in the morning before we head into our day.  I leave by 5:15 a.m. so all I can do for him is make a pot of coffee and set out the cold cereal for him to eat.  I am a very lucky girl, because he is my biggest encourager as I step out onto the edge and do what calls to me from within.  Living on the edge affects those we love.  It's scary here.  But I can already tell that something big is unfolding in my soul.

   
   

   I hope that you will choose to head toward something momentous.  When you do, there will be one prevailing question you will have to address. It is my observation that the more doubt and fear you have about it, the stronger the indicator that you are heading toward the edge (in a good way).

   
   

   I'd love to hear from you if you have an edge you think you have identified!  What is it?  I'd love to encourage you as you step out on the edge.

   
   

   

   
   

When You Lose Your Edge

I arrived at the ice rink at 6:00 a.m. this morning as usual and when I got out of the car, I realized that I forgot my ice skates......my edge.  I can't just turn around and go get them.  I live 45 minutes away and I have other errands to run afterward.

Fortunately I brought my laptop with me because I thought I might have a few moments between appointments today to do some work.  Let's just say that I am getting a LOT of work done because I have 3 hours to kill until my next appointment.

Thank God for McDonald's and free wi-fi.  Don't worry - I'm not getting any unhealthy foods here.  It would be useless to exercise like I do and then eat a sausage, egg and cheese mcmuffin.   But they do have good coffee.

I am feeling the best I have felt in years since I've begun living on the edge.  I've adjusted my eating, my schedule and yes, even my thinking.  The more I commit to this, the more it affects every single area of my life.

I will now have to go to the gym today to get my exercise in and rearrange my whole day.  There was a day when forgetting my skates would have totally messed up my day.  I would have been down and sad because I couldn't do what I intended to do.  But I've been working so hard on changing my mentality about life in general, that I quickly adjusted my attitude and came up with a good plan B.

There will be days when we just don't have our edge.  Life is busy, complicated and easily interrupted.  Don't worry.  Re-adjust yourself and move ahead.  One thing is for sure, I will probably never forget my skates again.

In Front of The Mirror

"How you THINK you look and how you REALLY look are very different. Go home and stand in front of the mirror.

Close your eyes.

Hold both arms out and up to the height of your shoulders to where you think they are level with each other.

Open your eyes.

Most skaters THINK they are holding their arms level with each other but when they open their eyes, they find that they are not level."

So begins my life on the edge.

I'm in my fourth week of skating every morning five days a week.  I've had my second session with Christian, my coach.  I practice all that he teaches me.  I've even stood in front of the mirror and held out my arms (following his instructions above).  I record myself skating so I can see what adjustments need to be made.


"Don't fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other.  Act on what you hear!  Those who hear and don't act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like.  But whoever catches a glimpse of the revealed counsel of God - the free life! - even out of the corner of his eye, and sticks with it, is no distracted scatterbrain but a man or woman of action.  That person will find delight and affirmation in the action."  James 1:22-25 (The Message)

If you are going to live life on the edge: you will need to make adjustments.

What adjustments do you need to make in your life so you can live on the edge?

# 29 Next2Nothing Interview

The band, Next2Nothing, talks about life in the music world in this interview, along with other stories they have gathered along the way.

This is one of Frances' favorite bands!

http://www.next2nothing.com

Check out this episode!