Starting Over at the Top: Riding Life’s Spiral Staircase

I was in Minnesota recently and found myself unexpectedly sharing a hotel with the Golden State Warriors. And that’s where I met Kevin Knox—yes, the NBA player—in the hallway, casually chatting about laundry. I guess even NBA stars deal with everyday realities. Life is beautifully mundane sometimes, isn't it?

Kevin was kind, humble, and incredibly sweet. As we chatted, I asked if all the Warriors were staying on our floor, he smiled and said, "No, just the younger guys." Then, almost as an aside, he added, “Even though I've been here a while, I'm still a younger guy.”

That’s a quiet acknowledgment of a universal truth we rarely talk about: success isn’t a ladder, it’s a spiral staircase. Just when you think you’ve reached the top, you realize the staircase keeps turning upward, placing you back at a new version of "the bottom."

Think about Kevin Knox. This is someone who’s seen plenty of "tops": dominating AAU as a kid, shining brightly at Kentucky, getting drafted into the NBA. Yet there he was, recognizing that he's again at the base of another climb, striving upward once more.

This spiral staircase metaphor helps us navigate one of life's trickiest contradictions: How do you stay confident without losing humility? We're told: “If you've got it, flaunt it!” but also, “Stay humble.” How exactly do you hold onto internal swagger and genuine belief in yourself while keeping your ego in check?

Interestingly, those who master this balance—like Kevin Knox—often seem the most grounded. Have you noticed how some B-list actors can be so insufferable, while A-list stars often impress us with their humility and grace? Maybe it's because those who've truly succeeded understand success is cyclical. Today’s summit might just be tomorrow’s starting point.

Kevin could’ve easily "flaunted it" during our random hallway exchange (I mean, NBA status is no small feat), but he didn’t. Instead, his quiet recognition that despite his accomplishments, he's back at another starting line, reminded me how essential humility is, especially when you're playing in the big leagues. Real confidence, after all, comes from embracing and accepting this constant cycle of climbing, succeeding, and then climbing again.

Ultimately, the spiral staircase of life isn’t about ascending permanently to a singular peak. It’s about recognizing that life continually moves us from one staircase to the next, about recognizing where you are at each turn, appreciating each step, and staying grounded enough to climb again.

Edge Thought of the Week:

This week, consider where you currently stand on your spiral staircase. Are you at a perceived "peak," or perhaps back at a new beginning, preparing for your next climb? How do you hold pride in your achievements, while staying open, humble, and ready to grow?