Game of Risk

Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go. ~ T. S. Eliot

Inherent in every action and decision is the element of risk. Some weigh more on the future than others, but it all comes down to having the courage to take action. I know that I irritate people with my independence and brazen words at times, but it's a risk I take. The people with the most to lose sometimes take the largest risks, either winning big or realizing that it was a huge mistake. Each situation tells a lesson, a nugget of wisdom to stash away in the annals of the mind for future calculations. I risked my future to come to Florida to attend a school I never saw before enrolling. I won big. I risked my emotions in relationships, losing my confidence and direction. But these never held me back. I risk my life every day driving I-4. Somehow even in the largest loss you can imagine, most people strive for the new risk. Once you've hit bottom, there's nothing left to lose and you can only move up. There are things in my life right now that I risk on a daily basis -- my name, reputation, friends, security, emotions -- and I don't care what anyone else thinks. I'm pushing my limits because I know that it's right. Guilt is always a great indicator over the validity of a situation, and I use that to judge each risk. Would I feel guilty about losing what I had? If yes, then I don't take the risk. Not saying that I take only sure things, but I use my experiences and melt my nuggets into a gold bar to make a solid decision. Once you win the gold, all else seems to fall into place.