Monday 5 July 2010

Risk...


The other day I was looking for something, I forget what now, and came across a sheet with a quote on it. Not sure who wrote it, but I remember reading it when I was at university and loving it, so I copied it down. Not surprisingly it's written on purple paper in purple ink, which thankfully hasn't faded.

It was the perfect thing to read when I was in university because I had taken a risk going back to school. For most of my scholastic career I thought I was dumb, so I didn't try. I figured it was best not to try and get a crap grade, then to try and risk failing and look like an idiot. (This theory of course somewhat proving that perhaps I wasn't the most brilliant.) Eventually, I realized I had a brain in this noggin and went back to school. Considering I barely made it out of high school (to be honest, I think they made a mistake because I'm sure I was short a credit, but hey, who was I to point that out??), the fact that I went into engineering was a big shocker to many. But I did it and I graduated.

I have found that the last five years have been about taking some risks, like completing a sprint triathlon, then a half Ironman, then an Ironman.


Then last year I lost a good friend of mine to cancer. She was way too friggin young and it drove the point home that LIFE IS TOO SHORT SO MAKE THE MOST OF IT! Lately I find I am taking more risks. Not in a smoking crack, screw the world kind of way, that's not my style. More the, life is too short so I want to grab it by the horns, kind of risks.


Maybe it's a result of losing Tigger, or maybe it's just a mid life crisis!! Whatever it is, I do feel more alive from taking the risks I have. In the las seven months I've challenged my fear of heights and took up indoor climbing, soon to be outdoor; I went on a mountain biking trip to Moab, a serious mecca of the sport, after not having ridden in 14 year; then I challenged myself in a moutain biking course and found myself rolling off drops that were about 2 ft high with roots and trees waiting for me to ride around after the drop. Yup, those things got the old ticker pounding out of my chest!


The latest risk is doing something I've wanted to do since I was 12 years old, which is forever ago. I finally took a course and learned how to ride a motorcycle. (I passed my road test today with flying colours!) Not only that, I bought one. My dream bike, a Harley Davidson Sporster. This did not please the parental unit I may add. Not that seeing me near death during Ironman did, or when I mentioned I was taking up rock climbing and my dad responded "Isn't that dangerous?". Hmm, perhaps all this is making my getting tattoos not look so bad in there eyes??

Anyways, I guess the point of this post is that the finding of this quote was perfect. It reminded me why I do what I do. Because taking a risk is living life rather than sitting on the couch and watching it go by.

Enjoy and peace out my lovelies!


To laugh is to risk appearing the fool.
To weep is to risk appearing setnimental.
To reach out for another 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 loss.
To love is to risk not being loved in return.
To live is to risk dying.
To hope is to risk despair.
To go forward in the face of overwhelming odds is to risk failure.

But risk we must.

Because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.
The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing.
They may avoid suffering and sorrow, but they can't learn, feel, change, grow or love.
Chained by their certitudes, they are a slave. They have forfeited their freedom.

Only a person who risks is free.

11 comments:

  1. LOVE IT - and oh so true - you go grab them risks by the horns and live life to the full :)

    See ya Thursday when you'll risk Cinnamon Bear Lodge breakfasts - hahahahaha xx

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  2. What a super philosophy! Did you do the slo-mo helmet off hair shake out thing like I said?

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  3. We do worry about motorcycles but if you have your high viz jacket on and ride in a group we would feel better.

    No we still don't like tatoos. We like naked skin better Moeder and Father

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  4. I love that quote!!! It so so true. :) :)

    At least this is what I tell myself when one of my jokes or witty comments falls flat and the crickets chirp...LMAO!!!

    Risk is a lot like being open -- open to possibilities, opportunities. Hmmmm, love this quote and I LOVE that I am going to be seeing you soon!!!!! I have three episodes of Sookie waiting for you!!

    SOOOOOKKKKKKKKKKKKIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEE!! LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  5. lol... i love your mother's comment :)
    Risk is life.

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  6. So...my husband is flying down to Reno, Nevada next week to pick up his NEW MOTORBIKE! Its true. I am not all that thrilled with this because now I want one too!!
    You will have so much fun! It really is a great way to travel...just remember to take breaks and be safe...cause a bike will NOT win against a car...that's the only advice I have...and always wear a bra under your tank top...cause one time I had my tank fly up on me and did not know it as I was going down the highway...passed a truck and he nearly hit the ditch when he saw "the girls"!!!

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  7. You continue to inspire. :)

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  8. 1. Your paternal grand parents are probably smiling. You are causing your moeder and me as much anxiety as my brothers and I caused our parents (although my brothers and I stopped exposing ourselves to such risks when we, and therefore our parents, were much younger than you and your parents).
    2. As noted in your blog we encounter risks every day of our lives. Most of them are known as involuntary risks and fortunately they seldom eventuate. The risks to which you refer are voluntary risks. Whether a person taking such risks is a fool or of sound mind depends upon the context in which the risk is taken. People who do things that they enjoy and accept corresponding risks are of sound mind in my opinion. People who take risks simply for the sake of taking risks are fools. I assume that you are one of the former.
    3. Many people have "grabbed life by the horns" without taking significant voluntary risks.
    4. Even with all our anxiety attacks we still love you and take great pride in your many accomplishments. It seems that one of the main functions of parents is to worry and one of the main functions of children (at any age) is to provide cause for worry!

    Dad

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  9. I must admit how much I enjoy your FB posts that chronicle your new-bike rides, climbing endeavors and your care free approach to life. You truly are making the most of every moment on this Earth and that's what it's all about. I wish we lived closer so I could come along for the ride!

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  10. Sweet ride Susi!!! I want a ride sometime!! Keep taking risks Susi, you def. haven't stopped living it up after IM. :)

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