To Risk

 

To laugh is to risk appearing the fool

To weep is to risk being called sentimental

To reach out to another is to risk involvement

To expose feelings is to risk showing your true self

To place your ideas  and your dreams before the crowd is to risk being called naïve

To love is to risk not being loved in return

To live is to risk dying

To hope is to risk dispair

To try is to risk failure

But risks must be taken, because the greatest risk in life is to risk nothing

The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing, and becomes nothing

He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he simply cannot learn, feel, change, grow or love

Chained by his certitude, he is a slave; he has forfeited his freedom

Only the person who risks is truly free..