Dare to Risk

To laugh is to risk appearing as fool

To weep is to risk appearing sentimental

To reach for another is to risk involvement

To expose 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 believe is to failure

But risks must be taken,

Because the greatest hazard

In life is to risk nothing

The people who risk nothing, do nothing,

Have nothing, are nothing

They may avoid suffering and sorrow

But they cannot learn, feel change,

Grow, love, live.

Chained by their attitudes

They are slaves;

They have forfeited their freedom

Only a person who risks is free.