Poem: "Risk" (Author Unknown)

To laugh is to risk appearing the fool.
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.
To reach out for another is to risk involvement.
To expose your feelings is to risk exposing your true self.
To place your ideas, your dreams, before the 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 despair.
To try is to risk failure.

But risks must be taken because the greatest hazard is to risk nothing, do nothing, have nothing, and be nothing.

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

Chained by their own fears, they are slaves; they have forfeited freedom.

Only a person who risks is free.

Source: Philip St. Romain, Reflection on the Serenity Prayer, page 63, slightly adapted.