Risk

To laugh is to risk appearing the fool
To weep is to rise appearing sentimental
To reach out to others is to risk involvement
To expose 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 hope is to risk despair
To try is to risk failure

But risks must be taken, because the greatest hazard in life is to do nothing.
The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, and is nothing.
He may avoid suffering and sorrow,
but he cannot learn, feel, change, grow, love, live.
Chained by his attitudes, he is a slave, he forfeited his freedom.
Only the person who risks can be free.

-Author Unknown