TO RISK OR NOT TO RISK?

Every day of our lives we take risks, although some of the time we are unaware of it. For instance, we take a risk every time we hurry down the stairs to answer the door. We could fall and cause ourselves injury but we give it little thought.
Some of us enjoy the challenge of taking risks, while others are more cautious. I hope that I have learned over the years that without risk taking, change cannot happen.
When my family and I moved back to England after living in the tropics for twelve years, my husband gave up the safety of his job as a surveyor. We took the risk of starting our own business. Was it scary? Yes. Was it risky? Yes! Was it worth it? Ultimately, yes.
The greatest mistake we can make in life is to risk nothing, as those who risk nothing, end up with nothing. We may avoid some suffering, but without taking risks, we will not grow, learn, love, change and live life to the full.
To laugh is to risk being a fool.
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.
To reach out to another is to risk rejection.
To show our feelings is to risk revealing our true selves.
To share our dreams with others is to risk losing their friendship.
To love is to risk not having that love reciprocated.
To live life to the full is to risk dying.
To hope is to risk disappointment.
Only a person prepared to take risks is truly free. So open the door to opportunity – you may be pleasantly surprised!
In my first novel, Tea at Sam’s, the protagonist, Celine, keeps a journal. In it she writes of her heartache when, after sharing her heart with a friend, that person betrays her. She writes of the risk of involvement, but then finds true friendship when she risks leaving her comfort zone and dares to trust again.
Petals in the Sand is my latest book of short stories. Also my novels, Tea at Sam’s and the sequel, Making Scents are available on Amazon.