No Life Worth Living Comes Without Risk

As I enjoy this rainy day at home, I reflect on all the risks I’ve taken to get to this point. Without those risks, I would never have discovered my full capabilities and my life would have not have seen such big dreams realised.

Sometimes, it’s obvious what risks need taking. Other times, not so.

The risk may be showing up completely as yourself, not how others expect you to. You may be seen as a fool, stupid, or be completely misunderstood.

When we dare to step away from the expectations of others, we can unintentionally trigger reactions in them. We are breaking old patterns of their safety and comfort, even if unhealthy ones.

I can’t tell you how many things family or friends said to me or accused me of in the earlier years that were so far from the truth that it was almost ridiculous. Actually, some things have been ridiculous. Not just almost! This is a part of the risk of showing up without masks, completely as who you have grown into instead.

I’ve also realised that there are very few people on the planet I now tell any of my risky plans to. It just triggers fears in others and their advice, based on how they see the world, pours forth. If you’re taking risks, the last thing you need is for others to plant their fear in you. Usually, you have enough of your own to deal with. The only people I tell are a couple of friends who know me well and are also risk-takers. They just listen and enjoy witnessing the ride, wherever it takes me.

It's easy to not want to take risks.

None of us consciously want to create pain and discomfort for ourselves.

Risks tests faith, focus, the ability to surrender, and the ability to receive - to the absolute limits.

Without them, life can feel safe and comfortable. It is controlled with locked in routines. All of this is good for as long as it is.

Even sitting in the same chair year after year, doing the same routines, still somehow brings change within, though.

Eventually, if we try to stay fitting into old lives and routines, ones we’ve actually outgrown, life becomes stagnant.

Existing with stagnation is more painful than risk-taking, as it requires lying to yourself on the deepest levels all day, every day.

I’ve watched people with great potential rot from routine and stagnation, until they were so locked into their safe lives that there was no energy to pull themselves out.

As much as I never like to underestimate anyone’s capacity for learning, something I came to when looking after dying people for all those years, sometimes that learning is too much effort for people. So they turn bitter, judging and criticising those who have a go at life, laughing when such people stumble, and then their bitterness turns to them rotting in stagnation.

There are all sorts of risks in life.

There are financial risks, like when I declined a speaking invitation because what the company represented went against my values, even though I needed the money at the time.

There are personal risks of not knowing outcomes but just knowing the beginning steps have to be taken or the heart can never be at peace.

There are risks of love, like leaving a relationship after too many years of talking down conflicting values.

The variety of risks possible is massive for us all. There are all sorts.

But sometimes, the greatest risk is taking no risk at all.

With love,

Bronnie.

PS. The latest vlog is called Life Rarely Goes as Planned. Autumn sun shines upon us and the kangaroos have returned in abundance. An echidna visits, along with Australian native birds. The garden transforms from one season into the next, and I share some personal thoughts about the vlog, including a secret club I treasure.

I also share in it that I am taking some time off. I’m currently adjusting to a new hip, but more importantly, honouring the call of my heart for some timelessness and space. I’ll be back when I’m ready. Take care out there. Be brave.

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