“Failure is closely related to risk, which is closely related to success.”

A thought by Erwin Raphael McManus from his book, Chasing Daylight: Seize the Power of Every Moment (Kindle Location 1534). Kindle Edition.

That is one of the main reasons why we don’t risk. Most of us don’t see failure as a friend but our enemy. But those who have made it their friend are not afraid to risk.

So much of our life is controlled by our perspective. Take for example our view of failure. If it is viewed as your enemy you want to stay as far away from it as you can. Some people have a failed relationship and it hurt them deeply so they are never going to get in another situation where they can be hurt again. They are going to play it safe and keep from getting close to people. No way are they going to step out and risk that happening again so they live a lonely safe existence.

Another person sees the failed relationship as an opportunity to learn. They see where they went wrong and they strive to change, to grow. The failure was a learning opportunity for them so they head into a new relationship with new insight. It doesn’t stop them; it prods them to risk again and to not play it safe.

I risk rejection every day. I have felt it many times but I don’t let it stop me. I reach out to people every day that I don’t know because I want to connect with them. It doesn’t always work but I don’t stop and I have so many friends that add to my life and I add to them.

I was just thinking. If I would have stopped with the first relational failure I had I would never have married Margaret. The pain from one of my relationships did slow me down a bit but it slowed me down long enough for me to find Margaret and ask her to marry me. It was the best risk that I ever made. Has it been a pain free relationship? No but it has been worth all that we have put into it. Pain should not stop you it’s there to grow you, to make you.

So what is holding you back from risking?

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