Risk

To laugh is to risk appearing the fool.
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.
To reach out for another is to risk involvement.
To expose feelings is to risk exposing your true self.
To place your ideas, you dreams before the crowd is to risk their loss.
To love is to risk not being loved in return.
To live is to risk dying.
To hope is to risk despair.
To try is to risk failure.
But risks must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.

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

He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he simply cannot learn, feel, change, grow, love, live.
Chained by his own fears, he is a slave;
He has forfeited freedom.

Source Unknown

The place that 99.9% of people spend 99.9% of their time is within their comfort zone. It is an area where everything in life is relatively easy and exertion is minimal. Not necessarily an area of complacency or carelessness, but that zone where life is set on cruise control. If things get too difficult people back off. If things get too easy they step up a little bit. Some challenges are faced, but the risk is minimal and people are rarely over-extending themselves in any direction. This includes simple everyday tasks, but can be applied to life in general. The "comfort zone" is where most people spend most of their time.

I'm not saying this is a bad area. Everyone, myself included, spends time in this "comfort zone" and if I didn't have a comfort zone I would go insane. The key is baby steps, push yourself a littler further with each challenge you meet. It may be something as simple as smiling when you are having a day and don't feel like it or lending a hand to those in need.

One of the best examples for risking it all and stepping outside of his comfort zone is my brother, AJ. For somebody who once HATED to run, he has found a new passion by pushing his limits and discovering another part of pain/life that he has never experienced and few ever will. His mentality to risk it all has changed his life-imagine what it could do to yours.

Only a person who risks is free! Reach out and leave your comfort zone and live each day as a new opportunity to make your dreams come true.