Risk To Heal

Life is full of risks. Yet many people think that they can avoid taking risks to get whole and heal. That's not seeing reality as it is. It's fantasy thinking.

Helen Keller, who overcame the adversity of being blind, deaf, and mute, once said:  "Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing."

If there is a person in the world who can be entitled to be withdrawn, isolated, or avoiding risks in life, it was Helen Keller. Yet, her life was a demonstration of taking risks every time she took steps. She became one of the world's famous educators and leading humanitarians. Keller traveled to 35 countries on five continents to do her work. At age 75, Keller embarked on the longest and most grueling trip of her life: a 40,000-mile, five-month trek across Asia. Through her many speeches and appearances, she brought inspiration and encouragement to millions of people.

If you're in an emotional trauma, breaking down, or suffering from some loss, you cannot protect your self from pain. You are subject to the human condition. By attempting to escape from or avoid taking risks, you harm your self. You get disconnected from family, friends, and support you need. You'll be obsessed with your safety and comfort. And so, your condition can get worse.

The simple truth is that, in order to heal, you need to take risks. If you are going to live, you will face risks. Life demands it.