For a long time, I chose to stay quiet, keep to myself, and stay under the radar. I didn’t want to rock the boat. I'm afraid of big changes. I like it when life is safe, secure, and calm. On the one hand, having stability can be a good thing, but on the other, without change, we cannot grow.

What is one thing that you could do to take a risk?

Some people are adrenaline junkies, and risk is their second name. That’s not what I’m talking about.

A long time ago, I wanted to read some of my poems at a poetry reading at the now-defunct Borders. I asked all my friends if they could support me because I was afraid, but none of them could make it.

I then had to make a decision: Go on my own or stay home.

I thought about it over the weak and decided that if I wanted to be a writer, then I needed to show up. That night I went to the reading, read my poems, and hand a good time.

But it was what happened to me afterward that changed my life.

I stayed late to help a friend put some folding chairs away when out of nowhere, a young woman came up to my friend. They talked for a bit, I was introduced to her, and we agreed to go out Valentine’s Day.

That’s how I met my wife.

You never know what might come your way. Over the years, when I’m asked to speak at an event or take part in something a bit outside my comfort zone, I weigh the option, and if the situation is good for me, then I take the risk.

Is it hard sometimes to do that? Yes, it is.

But I realize that growth means challenging myself.

When a friend asked me to help serve food to the homeless, I said yes. When my work asked that we make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for a local food bank, I said yes. And when I was afraid to read my poems to strangers, I took the risk, and a door opened to me that I had not thought possible.

I know it’s scary. I know that not every risk will means sunrise and rainbows.

But sometimes saying yes can put you on a path of such grace and beauty that your life will be changed forever for the better.

And all it takes is to be open to change.

Like what you’ve read? Be sure to check out my other posts in my Let Go and Be Free blog.