Life is full of risks. Some we can take with a bit of forethought to minimize the danger involved, but risk is a part of life. Recently I had a chance to tell someone about the risks I've taken in my life. Here's what I said:

In no particular order: I've eaten food that had an expired freshness date. I've run with scissors. I've dated a man my family wouldn't approve of. I've read books former pastors warned me against. I've ridden a bike without training wheels. I've driven a motorcylce without a helmet. I've fallen in love with someone from the internet, and flew halfway around the world to spend time with him and confirm that love (I'll love him always, he just wasn't meant to be the one by my side and in my life as more than a lifelong friend). And when I was getting used to THAT idea, I decided I need to take a long drive and think things through. I packed up my Rav 4 and took a drive......over 10,000 miles from Alaska to the Gulf of Mexico, and when I still needed some thinking time, I zigzagged over to the Great Lakes area before heading home. That risk took a year to pay off, but I enjoyed it so much, I took almost the same trip the next summer!

I moved to Alaska, when not one member of my family or anyone I knew lived here, or had even visited. Then I didn't just come to Alaska, but I took a teaching job in a remote Eskimo village, 700 miles from the nearest paved road. I stayed four years and experienced everything from a broken leg that I had to wait 12 days to be set, getting thrown out of a dogsled onto a frozen river, and flying in and out of the village in -30 degree weather in little two-engine planes.

I've risked rejection by letting someone know I found them attractive. I've risked a broken heart (and got it) by allowing myself to love. I've risked absolute failure by following my dream to be a teacher and to live somewhere so beautiful people save for years to visit where I get to live.

And I'll risk more.....God willing, I'll love again. And I'll risk being naked with someone and learning to savor and enjoy a new lover. I'll try new foods, rent that skidoo, find that hot air balloon to ride....whatever I choose for as long as I live. Because life is not about any sort of regrets except for the chances you were afraid to take.