Living on the Edge

I saw this on a news report on mudslides the other day: A row of beautiful houses was built on the edge of a cliff, presumably for the amazing view. Then they showed the backyards just collapsing into the cliff. These homes were being evacuated, because it was just a matter of time before they tumbled down the cliff as well.

My initial reaction was one of sympathy for these homeowners. Then I wondered why these people would have built their homes on the edge of a cliff in the first place.

The idiom ‘living on the edge’ is used to describe a type of existence that is precarious, dangerous and pushing the limits. The word ‘edgy’ used to mean restless and unstable. Now, edgy people are considered exciting and non-conforming.  Many of us intentionally build our lives on the edge, taking risks, throwing caution to the wind. Our culture values boldness, even if it leads to disaster in the long run.

I think that boldness and nonconformity are good in certain circumstances. When we confront injustice, when we stand up for what is good and right, when we are willing to push the limits in order to help others who are weaker or less fortunate, then our audacity is heroic. However, when our recklessness is driven by personal ambition, it can needlessly put our families in danger.

When I meet people who are risk-takers, I try to figure out what motivates them. I don’t put much stock in what they say. Most of us have a rehearsed script that we present to others as well as believe ourselves. So I try to dig underneath the surface until I can see the roots of these aspirations. Often our ambition is driven by our desire for personal gain of some sort. This is why it is important to examine our motives, to dig deep, to find the root cause of our desire, and to determine if the long term consequences of our choices are beneficial to all concerned.