Parker Palmer begins the first chapter of On the Brink of Everything by describing how  he came to the title of his book. He starts with dictionary definitions of “on the brink” noting that most of them are negative.

I’m not sure why most uses of the phrase are negative—as in on the brink of giving up, or losing my mind, or going to war—even though it can be used positively. Perhaps it’s because, deep in the reptilian brain, we’re afraid of falling from heights or crossing boundaries into the unknown.  But isn’t it possible that we’re on the brink of flying free, or discovering something of beauty, or finding peace and joy?

I come from a long line of optimists. Yet lately I’ve lost a bit of that bounce. I miss the delight that comes with that mindset, relishing what the world has to offer. I miss the lift that comes from embracing the new, the energizing, the possible. Parker’s words call me back to my more optimistic self.  He reminds me that while there is much to be done, there is also much to be joyful about. Turns out being “on the brink” is okay.  Thanks Parker!

Win a copy of On The Brink of Everything!

As a special thank you to our blog subscribers, each month we will give away autographed books. (Many thanks to the authors for donating their books.) Winners are picked randomly, notified by email, and announced on our blog and on Facebook.  Be sure to subscribe to win!

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About On the Brink of Everything: Grace, Gravity and Getting Old

From beloved and bestselling author Parker J. Palmer comes a beautiful book of reflections on what we can learn as we move closer to “the brink of everything.”

Drawing on eight decades of life — and his career as a writer, teacher, and activist — Palmer explores the questions age raises and the promises it holds. “Old,” he writes, “is just another word for nothing left to lose, a time to dive deep into life, not withdraw to the shallows.”

But this book is not for elders only. It encourages adults of all ages to explore the way their lives are unfolding. It’s not a how-to-do-it book on aging, but a set of meditations in prose and poetry that turn the prism on the meaning(s) of one’s life, refracting new light at every turn.

From beginning to end, the book is laced with humor as well as gravitas. The book inspired Carrie Newcomer, the gifted singer-songwriter, to write three songs. These free songs are downloadable and available with the book.

For more about Parker’s book, see our earlier post about On the Brink of Everything.