RISK
I first read this anonymous and beautiful collection of words many years ago and it has enabled me to overcome my fears and concerns on countless occasions. I hope it can help you too.
RISK
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 and 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 risk 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 servitude, they are slaves,
they have forfeited their freedom
Only those who risk can be truly free