RISKING

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 your feelings is to risk exposing your true self
To place your ideas, your dreams before a crowd is to risk
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 risk nothing at all
The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing and is nothing.
They may avoid suffering and sorrow but they can not learn, feel, change, grow, love live.
Chained by their certitudes, they are a slave.
They have forfeited their freedom.
Only a person who risks is free