On Taking Risks

What is behind door number one?  ~~Picture from Microsoft Clipart 

RISK
~Author unknown~

To laugh is to risk appearing the fool.
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.
To reach out to others is to risk involvement.
To expose feelings is to risk exposing your true self.
To place your ideas, your dreams before a crowd is to risk their loss.
To love is to risk not being loved in return.
To live is to risk dying.
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 do nothing.                            The person who risks nothing,
does nothing, has nothing, and is nothing.

They may avoid suffering and sorrow,
but they cannot learn, feel, change, grow, love, live.                 Chained by their attitudes, they are a slave,
they forfeited their freedom.

Only the person who risks can be free!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I saw this poem the other day when I was contemplating whether I should add some new workshops to our repertoire of offerings at Angels And Ancestors.  The words, the message, stopped me!  I wondered how many times some people see the humour in everything and laugh while the rest of the room wonders what they are laughing about.  I wondered too, how many people walk by those needing help because they did not want to become involved.   As I read through the poem a second and a third time, I wondered who had penned this very precise declaration of the human drama - showing both sides of mankind in a way that celebrates and chastens at the same time.

I read this and I wanted to be one of the ones who risks to do something and grow from it.  I want to live my life alive, with no regrets.  So, I am teaching some new workshops.  They are posted at www.angelsandancestors.com/worshop.html.

May you find the courage to take a risk today.

Judith