To risk

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 ...

rejection.

To place your dreams before the crowd is to risk ...

ridicule.

To love is to risk ...

being loved in return.

To go forward in the face of overwhelming odds is to risk ...

failure.

But, risks must be taken, because the greatest risk of all is to risk nothing.
Those who risk nothing ...

do nothing, have nothing, are nothing.

They may temporarily avoid suffering and sorrow, but
They cannot feel, learn, change, grow, live, or love.
Chained by their certitudes, they become slaves

Forfeiting their freedom.

Only the person who risks is free.

- Chuck Swindoll