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Afraid to Risk?
by Steve Goodier
An old poem by Richard Armour makes a good point:
The bride, white of hair, is stooped over her cane
Her faltering footsteps need guiding.
While down the church aisle, with wan toothless smile,
The groom in a wheelchair comes riding.
And who is this elderly couple you ask?
You'll find, when you've closely explored it,
That here is that rare, most conservative pair,
Who waited 'til they could afford it.
Are you ever afraid to take a risk? Afraid to commit because of an uncertain
future? Afraid of failing? Not that anyone would wait an entire life before
taking a chance on marriage, but do you tend to wait until all possible risks
are minimized before setting out in a new direction?
Though caution and common sense are certainly important, sometimes a risk is
called for. As the late William Arthur Ward wisely said:
To laugh is to risk appearing a fool.
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.
To reach out for another is to risk involvement.
To expose feelings is to risk revealing your true self.
To place you ideas, your dreams, before a crowd is to risk rejection.
To love is to risk not being loved in return.
To live is to risk dying.
To hope is to risk disappointment.
To try is to risk failure.
But risks must be taken, because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.
Those who risk nothing, do nothing, have nothing, and become nothing.
They may avoid present suffering and sorrow, but they will not learn, feel,
change, grow, love, or live.
Chained by their fear, they are slaves who have forfeited their freedom.
Only a person who risks is free.
The pessimist complains about the wind;
The optimist expects it to change;
And the realist adjusts the sails.
Is fear preventing you from taking a necessary risk today?
Steve Goodier's books & newsletter:
http://LifeSupportSystem.com
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