Risk

To laugh is to risk appearing the fool
To weep is to risk being called sentimental
To reach out to another is to risk involement
To expose feelings is to risk showing your true self
To place your ideas and dreams before the crowd is to risk being called naive
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 risk must be taken, because the greatest risk in life is to risk nothing
The people who risk nothing, do nothing, are nothing, and become nothing
They may avoid suffering and sorrow,
But they simply cannot learn to feel, and change, and grow, and love, and live....
Chained by their servitude, they are slaves;
They've forfeited their freedom.
Only the people who risk are truly free