Risk...can you handle it?

My husband, my two youngest kids, and I went to San Antonio this weekend for Spring Break. Our main event was a day-long visit to Sea World. My husband, being the moderate adrenaline junkie he is, dragged us to a roller coaster as soon as we entered the gate. He was using the "we're here early so the line will be short" excuse but I firmly believe he was just excited about the rush.

This was the first roller coaster ever for our 7 year old and the first "real" roller coaster for our 9 year old. They were quite reassured by Dad that they'd love it so they waited with increasing excitement during the short (yes, he was right) line. I, on the other hand, was getting more and more nervous.

As a kid, I LOVED roller coasters...the badder the better. Maybe it was the adrenaline rush..maybe it was the knowledge that I was making my mom cringe in fear for me. Whatever it was..there was no roller coaster I wouldn't try...and then hop back in line to do it again!

So why was I getting nervous? I'm not sure. I was thinking about it as I stood in line, fanning my flushed face furiously. I think as we get older, we get more concerned about risk. Risk is defined differently for each adult though. My husband, who has bungee jumping and sky diving on his "do before I die" list won't spend over $100 without a full 3 months of research. I can loosen the purse strings a little faster but I won't even consider jumping off anything higher than the side of the pool.

What struck me as peculiar is how often, as adults, we avoid risk in our daily lives...and the profound effect it has on our future. Consider how many people who are dissatisfied with their jobs..but won't take the risk to find another. How many people have a dream of running their own business...but can't imagine being without a guaranteed income. How many budding authors have never put their ideas on paper..or worse yet..have written it..but hidden it away in a drawer. How many artists have stacks of paintings stacked in the studio..never to be seen by an audience? How many dreams do we not fulfill in order to avoid risk?

As I stood their gulping for air and fanning harder and harder, I realized that this roller coaster was going to be difficult for me..but it would be over in about 90 seconds (my engineer husband timed it while we were waiting). My art career is also going to be difficult..but I'm ready to ride it for the rest of my life. I'm going to have some ups and downs, some incredible highs, some sickening drops...but I'll get off at the end knowing ...I DID IT!!