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 exposing your true self.
To place your ideas, your dreams in front of a crowd is to risk being called naive.
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 risk in life is to risk nothing. The person who risks nothing does nothing, has nothing and becomes nothing. He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he simply cannot learn, feel, change, grow, love and live. Chained by his certitudes, he is a slave, he has forfeited his freedom. Only the person who risks is truly free.

----- Janet Rand


I took risks with people yesterday. But they were risks worth taking, for the sake of openness.. for the sake of love.. for the sake of a hope for the future together. May God grant understanding.. and grace.