Some dear friends of mine recently took a big risk. Deciding to relocate – from one country to another – they searched online for a house to purchase. Having made a short list – and researched the various areas where the properties were located – they settled on one – which they felt would meet those things that were important to them – and so – took the risk – of actually putting an offer in for that house – deciding that they needed to “Take the risk – or lose the chance”

Their offer was accepted – and – as I write – they are about to get the keys – and view the property – in person – for the first time!

Life is full of risks – those risks come in many shapes and forms – and some can feel very scary – as this risk has been for my friends.

I love this definition of ‘taking risks’ – “Life is all about taking risks – if you don’t take risks – then you will never know what you are capable of”

In many ways it feels safer to not take a risk – to stay with what is more certain – ‘the known’ – as opposed to ‘the unknown’. There’s often a fear of what could go wrong – which can then so easily make the risk seem too difficult to contemplate.

But – as always – there are two ways to look at something – and when it comes to taking a risk we need to choose – to be afraid – or to be excited – and to decide to – ” Stop being afraid of what could go wrong – and start being excited about what could go right” – it’s really that simple.

I have taken many risks in my life – risks that have changed the direction of where I was heading – that have led me to places I had never dreamt of – that have brought me into contact with so many wonderful people – risks – that have literally changed my life.

I want to be brave enough to continue taking risks – to dare to dream – and risk reaching for my dreams – to move away from ‘the known’ – and into ‘the unknown.

Just because I am getting older – it doesn’t mean that I can’t experience new things – and sometimes – that might mean continuing to take risks – for – “If you don’t take risks in life – you’ll never see anything new”

I can hardly wait – to see the outcome of the risk my friends took – but – like them – I am looking forward with excitement – anticipating all the opportunities – that will open up for them – with this move into the unknown – and – I thank them – for the inspiration they are to me.

And – as someone else said – “I salute all risk-takers – those kind of people who are brave enough to try things out – even if they know there’s a chance of failing at it – at least they did their best to make things work – rather than to give up without trying at all – these kind of people inspire me – to go out of my comfort zone – no matter how scary it may look – it will always be worth the try”

Blessings – Lois