RISK.................

To laugh, is to risk appearing the fool.

To weep, is to risk appearing sentimental.

To give without regard for reward, is to risk misunderstanding.

To reach out to others, is to risk involvement.

To seek justice, is to risk reprisal.

To open your heart, is to risk vulnerability.

To expose feelings, is to risk exposing your true self.

To place 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 certitudes, they are a slave, they forfeited their freedom.

Only the person who risks, can be free.

(--author unknown--)