RISK

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 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 risk must be taken, because the greatest hazard in life

            is to risk nothing

persons who risk nothing do nothing, have nothing,

and are nothing

they may avoid suffering and sorrow

            but they cannot learn, feel, change and grow, love,

or live

chained by their attitude, they are slaves,

            for they have forfeited their freedom

Only a person who risks is free.

taken from : Onward Effective Teachers

                   by Harry K. Wong

                   of Harry K. Wong Publications