ON TAKING RISKS

To laugh…is to risk appearing the fool.

To weep…is to risk appearing sentimental.

To reach out for another…is to risk involvement.

To expose feelings…is to risk exposing your true self.

To place your ideas, dreams, before the crowd…is to risk their loss.

To love…is to risk not being loved in return.

To hope…is to risk despair.

To try…is to risk failure.

But risks must be taken, because the greatest hazard in life is to RISK NOTHING.

The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, and is nothing. She may avoid suffering and sorrow, but she simply cannot learn, feel, change, grow, love or live. Chained by her certitudes, she is a slave. She has forfeited freedom. Only a person who risks is free.

-By Anonymous