One Apple A Day #660 - Living on the edge
Learning new things, discovering new ideas, unearthing new connections. Can you think of anything more exciting?
Though, to expand our known world, we must learn to walk on the edge of it. Because there is where the change and the growth happens, at the boundary. Between what you know and what you don't know, the familiar and the different, your past and the future.
I've been reminded of the importance of living on the edge of our knowledge and perception a few days ago in the mentoring programme I'm attending. While we were examining the importance of networking and creating interactions that expand our world, I've learned about Mark S. Granovetter, a professor at the Johns Hopkins University, and his work.
His theory is that weak ties, the connections with people at the boundaries of our "relationship bubble" are the most important. Because those are the connections that can open us to new learning and new networks. They are the one that can bring new perspectives in our lives. On the other side of the spectrum, the strong ties that connect us with the people close to use, physically and emotionally, give us strength, safety and confidence. But they can also wrap us in a safe bubble, where we can surely feel good but we won't be able to grow.
Obviously, walking on the edge is risky. But can you think of anything more exhilarating?
P.S. the title of this post is a clear homage to my teenage years.