Risk

To laugh...
...is to risk appearing the fool.
To weep...
...is to risk appearing sentimental.
To reach for another...
...is to risk involvement.
To expose your 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 believe...
...is to risk despair.
To try...
...is to risk failure.

But...
...risks must be taken,
because the greatest hazard in life
is to risk nothing.

The person who...
...risks nothing,
...does nothing,
...has nothing,
...is nothing.

They may avoid suffering and sorrow,
but they cannot...
...learn,
...feel,
...change,
...grow,
...love,
...live.

Chained by their attitudes
they are slaves,
they have forfeited their freedom.

Only a person who risks is free.

--Anonymous Chicago Teacher