Risks

To laugh is to risk appearing foolish

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 hope 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 and becomes nothing

He may avoid suffering and sorrow

But he simply cannot learn, feel, change, grow, love or live

Chained by his opinions, he is a slave

He has forfeited freedom

Only a person who risks is free