This poem discusses the risks involved in living life to its fullest. It states that to experience love, joy, growth and freedom one must be willing to take risks, such as putting oneself out there emotionally or professionally. While risks can lead to suffering, playing it safe means avoiding really living at all. The poem concludes by saying the only free person is one who takes risks.

1. William Arthur Ward

2. To laugh
is to risk appearing a fool,

3. To weep
is to risk appearing sentimental.

4. To reach out to another
is to risk involvement,

5. To expose feelings
is to risk exposing your true self.

6. To place your ideas
and dreams before a crowd
is to risk their loss.

7. To love
is to risk not being loved
in return,

8. To live
is to risk dying,

9. To hope
is to risk despair,

10. To try
is to risk failure.

11. But risks must be taken
because the greatest hazard
in life is to risk nothing.

12. The person who risks nothing,
does nothing, has nothing,
is nothing.

13. He may avoid suffering
and sorrow,

14. But he cannot learn, feel, change, grow or live.

15. Chained by his servitude
he is a slave
who has forfeited all
freedom.

16. Only a person who risks is free.

17. The pessimist
complains about the wind;

18. The optimist
expects it to change;

19. And the realist
adjusts the sails.

20. Images and text: Internet
Music: Richard Abel - Elegancia
Adriana