To weep is to
risk appearing sentimental.
To reach out for another
is to risk involvement.

To expose feelings is to risk
exposing your true self.

To place your ideas, 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 failure.
But risk must be taken because the
greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.

If you risk nothing and do,
nothing you dull your spirit.
You may avoid suffering and sorrow,
but you cannot learn, feel, change,
grow, love, and live.

Chained by your attitude,
you are a slave.
You have forfeited your freedom.
Only if you risk, are you free.
    

Ruth Carter-Bourdon