A colleague once asked me why I thought someone's significant other might put a link to this kind of piece in an email about their relationship. At the time I was reasonably airy in my response, suggesting that I might quote it were I trying to rant about someone hiding their feelings, or perhaps to illustrate the false economy in shutting people out. Then I decided that it could be used in a positive way to reinforce someone's outgoing and emotional nature. Unfortunately the discussion then descended into whether someone we both knew was a metrosexual or not. Now, after a while of reflection I have decided to include this piece on my site and to leave you with this thought: No matter what others say about how you behave, the only person you must be completely and utterly honest with is yourself.
Risk — Leo Buscaglia
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, your dreams, before a 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 failure.
But risks must be taken.
Because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.
If you risk nothing and do nothing, you dull your spirit.
You may avoid suffering and sorrow, but you cannot learn, feel, change, grow, love, and live.
Chained by your attitude, you are a slave.
You have forfeited your freedom.
Only if you risk are you free.