A few years ago a friend came to me with a brilliant idea which required him resigning from his job and setting up business. The scheme seemed well thought off and it was some years later we met again and I found him still plodding on in his old job.
“What happened?” I asked, “I thought you’d be a millionaire by now with the idea you’d talked with me about?” “I didn’t do anything about it Bob,” he said gloomily, “I wish I had, because some one else came up with it later and he’s doing well.”
“So why didn’t you do something about it that time?” I asked perplexed. “I thought it was too risky..!” he said sadly. An old poem by Richard Armour makes a good point: The bride, white of hair, is stooped over her cane, Her faltering footsteps need guiding. While down the church aisle, with wan toothless smile, The groom in a wheelchair comes riding. And who is this elderly couple you ask? You’ll find, when you’ve closely explored it, That here is that rare, most conservative pair, Who waited ‘til they could afford it.
They didn’t want to take the risks of married life, of finding a home, of building a family till they could afford it; when it was nearly too late..! Are you also afraid of taking risks? Afraid to commit because of an uncertain future? Afraid of failing? Do you tend to wait until all possible risks are minimized before setting out in a new direction?
If so here are lovely words by the late William Arthur Ward, you should read: To laugh is to risk appearing a fool. To weep is to risk appearing sentimental. To reach out for another is to risk involvement. To expose feelings is to risk revealing your true self. To place your ideas, your dreams before a crowd, is to risk rejection. To love is to risk not being loved in return. To live is to risk dying. To hope is to risk disappointment.
To try is to risk failure. But risks must be taken, because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing. Those who risk nothing, do nothing, have nothing, and become nothing. They may avoid present suffering and sorrow, but they will not learn, feel change, grow, love, or live.
Chained by their fear, they are slaves who have forfeited their freedom. Only a person who risks is free..! Is fear preventing you from taking a necessary risk today? If so, risk and be free..!
