September 27, 2025- Risk and reward

It is far better to be often deceived than to never trust; to be disappointed in love, than never to love.

~Mary Wollstonecraft

When it comes to the end of our lives, we will never know what we missed out on. We may wonder, but we won’t know. Ideally, we will look back, pleased by what we experienced, more than regretting what may have been.

A certain amount of caution is necessary in our lives. We don’t have to follow every impulse, to scratch every itch. If we are concerned for our safety, or if we know that a temporary urge doesn’t align with our larger dreams, we can say no to our risk. But if it is simply our fear of failure, our avoidance of discomfort, that is preventing us from taking a risk, we should reconsider. Would the best version of us back down? Would the best version of us shrink away from an opportunity to add value to our lives?

Life is a constant balancing act of risk and reward. Our choices are often based on a false premise that risk is always longer lasting than reward. All emotions are temporary. We won’t wallow in misery forever when a risk doesn’t pay off any more than we will ride a wave of celebration forever when one works out.

What would the best version of you be willing to risk? Let that guide your choices. Live your life inside that image.