We take risks everyday in our journey through life but do we ever ask ourselves why we chose that risk and not another? Where do we draw the line between what is worth risking and what is not? There must be a reward in the risk in order for us to be willing to relinquish that little bit of control we think we have over our lives.
Risks taken offer an insight into our personalities. Last year when I took the risk of traveling alone to Italy I had finally come to the conclusion that I had to relinquish control of the uncontrollable and take a risk. In return I was rewarded deeply within my character. I grew, matured and pruned unnecessary fears. I have many goals in life and most of those goals could be achieved alone but prior to last year I was not willing to take the chance of doing them alone. Now my character takes risks more often. My choice has made an impact on how I parent and what my further goals will be.
Relinquishing control is one of the most difficult things to do in life but if we sit back and examine how little we are truly in control of, we will realize it is far better to relinquish control that to expect we can tame our lives. There are too many unknowns in life and if we cease to give up control we may drive ourselves crazy. Relinquishing control is a battle I have struggled through my whole life. I am strong-willed which means I like to be in control. I have a type A personality; controlling. I am organized to the point of making myself a little crazy. I have expectations of control that are unreasonable. Daily, in my morning prayers, I must and do relinquish control.
Rising above requires risk and the relinquishing of control. We do not grow if we do not plant seed. You cannot plant seed standing still in the same spot each and everyday. Our souls need to be sown deeply and I am convinced that cannot be done without risk taking.
Its funny that I use these things in my teaching each day. I ask students to take a risk by answering a question, reading aloud or sharing what they wrote. They are required to relinquish a little control for a moment and they always rise above. Life-long learners such as myself do the same thing each time we tackle a new task.
The latest issue of National Geographic magazine tackled the question of risk as it pertains to explorers but I will venture to say we can all be explorers in our own lives. We can take risks by talking with a stranger, getting to know someone new or learning a new skill. Risk doesn't have to be big. As of late I have chosen to make my risks of the larger sort to test the strength of my personality and perseverance. I am being shaped, sometimes scarred and have new growth to show.
What will I risk doing in the next couple of months? I'm traveling again, this time without any reservations or set plans. Will I rise above the challenges that come with that? Most certainly. Did I have to relinquish control in order to have this opportunity? Absolutely. I trust therefore I risk.
