Risk... do I have to??

Risk is an essential part of growth. We risk failing when we do something new. We risk embarrassment when we allow ourselves to be seen. We risk loss when we choose to love, invest and care. We risk judgment when we choose to lead. And the list goes on. So often, we manifest the risk as anxiety... as 'what if's'. What if they don't like what I say? What if they see me when I stand up? What if I lose someone or something valuable to me? 

Here's the thing... it's not a 'what if'. People will judge! We will be seen! We will fail. And we'll experience loss. We ask these questions because keep us safe, where we've always been. In the same place doing the same thing. And because we don't know if we can handle these things. The difficulty in proceeding with something new isn't in the 'what ifs'... but the 'whens'. When people disagree with me... When they see me... When I struggle... 

Risk is beautiful because it is both the potential to lose and the potential to gain. Risking reaching out in relationship could lead to disappointment or it could lead to friendship. Starting something new could lead to failure or it could lead to success. I could go on for a million scenarios but you get the point. 

Think about the area in your life with the questions... the what if's. Set aside some time and see if they're really the right questions to be asking. Remember, these moments are just sweet times to get honest with ourselves and to better understand where we're really at. When we can be honest with ourselves, we have a starting point and can begin to pursue the desires of our heart.