To Risk

To laugh is to risk appearing a fool. 
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental. 
To reach out for another is to risk involvement. 
To expose feelings is to risk rejection. 
To place your dreams before the crowd is to risk ridicule.
To love is to risk not being loved in return.
To go forward in the face of overwhelming odds 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. 
He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he cannot learn, feel, change, grow or love.
Chained by his certitudes, he is a slave. 
He has forfeited his freedom. 
Only a person who takes risks is free.