In this Work Life Play Decade Anniversary episode, I explore our frontier in life and the risks of losing our sense of exploring uncharted places. The poet David Whyte writes about this idea and serves as a jumping-off point for our topic.
I’m proud to share these little gems with you. I know they will help you live more fully in your adventure, explore a well-lived life and find more meaning in your daily experience.
A decade ago
I began podcasting in 2012 with borrowed equipment, no training, with a simple idea “I wanted to explore.”
I experimented with one tiny step, then the next. Back then, there was no map to How to Podcast. With trust and boldness, I booked my first two guests before I knew how to record or publish an episode. I should have shared this with my guests. Ha!
Compelled to explore beyond the map of my life experiences, expand my mind and heart, and curate stories of good humans. That’s as far as I knew. With hindsight’s wisdom, I borrow Parker Palmer’s explanation for “Why did you do it?” “This is something I can’t NOT do, for reasons I’m unable to explain to anyone else and don’t fully understand myself, but that are nonetheless compelling.”
You’re listening to a decade of exploration. The fruits are beyond just inspiration, but transformation for myself and many of you. Enjoy, experiment, and keep going. It’s worth it.
-Aaron
Episode: Losing our sense of frontier in life
“Without going out into the fresh air, stepping away from the house, without getting caught in a storm, without getting cold, wet, without feeling hungry, a human being begins to lose their sense of frontier in their life. Their sense of edge in their own explorations.”
-David Whyte
When was the last time you stepped away from the house, took a long walk, and felt the cold air, the wind on your cheeks, grumbles of hunger?
Where is the frontier in your life? The unexplored edges of uncertainty. Forget the places of mastery and dominion. Where are you, the student, the novice, an explorer?
Where are you exploring the unknown, unfamiliar landscape of your life, the contours off the map?
Get outside, leave the pack and your sweater. Feel the cold. Remember that the frontier is where you feel alive.
Keep going-
Aaron
Sign up to receive email updates
Enter your name and email address below and I'll send you periodic updates about the podcast.