Archive for April 15th, 2008
An unacceptable risk
Subtitle: What do you do when you face your fear and it looks back?
What is the difference between an unacceptable risk and an acceptable one? It’s pretty simple. An unacceptable risk is the one you didn’t take.
When I was very young, there was this rope swing that you had to climb way up in a tree to even get on. It swung way out over very hard ground. The first time I got up the nerve to climb this tree and sit on that short piece of wooden excuse for a seat on a swing we never ever told our parents about, I couldn’t let go and swing out. I sat there for what seemed hours trying to get up the nerve to just let go, while all the kids down below chanted “jump! jump!”. Finally, I climbed down amidst the cat calls and shame and slunk off.
It’s an interesting story for me because I’m in pretty much the opposite situation now. I know, you have no idea what I’m talking about. I’d tell you, but that poses an unacceptable risk. I’d have to know you a lot better than this. That might pose an unacceptable risk for you. (grin)
This is way too personal. Leaving it that way poses another unacceptable risk. If a stranger knocked on our door and asked if there was any way that they could help us, I’d have to say no. What greater risk can you take than to let someone you don’t know or trust help you? Trying to love your neighbor as you love yourself raises an interesting point if your neighbor doesn’t know you. (grin)
What’s your unacceptable risk?
