Another New Year; Life Is About Taking Risks

Another year almost down. Where did it go you ask? It is hard to believe we are now heading into 2017. The turn of the year always makes me more introspective.

As I look forward to 2017, below are two pieces of wisdom that I find inspiring. The first is a poem entitled “Risk” by Janet Rand. The second is a quote from Dostoevsky.

Working with trustees on investment strategy, risk is a concept that features regularly. Ultimately, to earn a return, particularly with cash rates marginally negative, members must take the risk of potential losses in the short term.

Of course, taking risks is not limited to your choice of investment strategy. In my mind there are much bigger risks to be taken in terms of the decisions that shape the life one leads, the people you share it with, the career you pursue and the experiences you seek.

Life is all about taking risks, this poem by Janet Rand says it all:

RISK

To laugh is to risk appearing the fool,

To weep is to risk being called sentimental.

To reach out to another is to risk involvement.

To expose feelings is to risk showing your true self.

To place your ideas and your dreams before the crowd is to risk being called naive.

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 risk in life is to risk nothing.

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

He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he simply cannot learn, feel, change, grow or love.

Chained by his certitude, he is a slave; he has forfeited his freedom.

Only the person who risks is truly free.

The other piece I will share with you is a quote I came across in a book I am reading on existentialism, “Existentialism – From Dostoevsky to Sartre”.

Dostoevsky, the Russian philosopher, wrote in his “Notes from the Underground”:

“However stupid the “direct” practical man may be, the thought will occur to him that the road almost always does lead somewhere, and that the destination it leads to is less important than the process of making it.”

Following that mind-set can help to take risks!

I’m off to San Diego Friday and then Tulum, Mexico, for two weeks immersion in the Spanish language, with 3 hours of classes every day.

Hasta luego mis amigos!

Vincent