Are You a Risk Taker?

Transforming from a “safe” person to becoming more of a risk taker, I am elated to share this post today. Most of what follows is a lovely collection of quotes (about taking risks, what else?) that I hope you will ponder, pray about and accept into your life…

Over the last few months, I have learned that the payoff of risk taking purely lies in the genuine satisfaction of going out on a limb—on simply risking. As I continue to take risks I never have before—whether it is the best choice or not—I am thrilled by the dare. However, I am not completely fearless. No one is, of course, but I am committed to fighting fear for the rest of my life.

After taking a risky action or promise,  I step back and think, “Wow, I can’t believe I did that. That would have never happened before. I feel like I can do anything”.  Self-value surges within me and I cannot contain the delight, filling my soul. To be honest, I have never felt the way I do today about myself, my family, friends, life, work—everything. No matter what, I believe my Creator has led me to this place—no matter how crazy it may look to some people—to make mistakes, to find freedom and to learn how to help set others free.

After committing to a few risky actions, I become excited that I made those steps. Then later, I really think and realize something could go wrong; that maybe I don’t know what I’m doing at all. That—the big unknown—is part of what feeds artistic survival as well as living life to the fullest for anyone, actually. So, what risks have you taken lately? What about risks you wished you had taken? Any regrets? What can we all do to prevent those regrets? What steps would you like to see yourself take next year?

Quotes on taking risks…

You must accept that you might fail; then, if you do your best and still don’t win, at least you can be satisfied that you’ve tried. If you don’t accept failure as a possibility, you don’t set high goals, you don’t branch out, you don’t try, you don’t take the risk. – Rosalynn Carter

The dangers of life are infinite, and among them is safety. – Goethe

It’s not because things are difficult that we dare not venture. It’s because we dare not venture that they are difficult. – Seneca

Death is not the biggest fear we have; our biggest fear is taking the risk to be alive—the risk to be alive and express what we really are. – Miguel Angel Ruiz

When you play it too safe, you’re taking the biggest risk of your life. Time is the only wealth we’re given. – Barbara Sher

The person who risks nothing does nothing, has nothing, is nothing, and becomes nothing. He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he simply cannot learn and feel and change and grow and love and live. – Leo F. Buscaglia

Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore. – Andre Gide

If you are not willing to risk the unusual, you will have to settle for the ordinary. – Jim Rohn

Life is inherently risky. There is only one big risk you should avoid at all costs, and that is the risk of doing nothing. – Denis Waitley

I have come to believe over and over again that what is most important to me must be spoken, made verbal and shared, even at the risk of having it bruised or misunderstood. – Audre Lorde

The risk of a wrong decision is preferable to the terror of indecision. – Maimonides

If we listened to our intellect, we’d never have a love affair. We’d never have a friendship. We’d never go into business because we’d be too cynical. Well, that’s nonsense. You’ve got to jump off cliffs all the time and build your wings on the way down. – Annie Dillard

There can be no vulnerability without risk. There can be no community without vulnerability. There can be no peace, and ultimately no life, without community. – M. Scott Peck

Our lives improve only when we take chances, and the first and most difficult risk we can take is to be honest with ourselves. – Walter Anderson

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