The Great Conversation: Taking Risks
Eric Coners
October 4, 2011
The Great Conversation
This I Believe: Taking Risks
Dangling by several fingers 75 feet off the ground, separated from death by nothing more than a ten millimeter climbing rope, and a few carabineers, I rethink whether I remembered to clip in properly, hope that my fingers do not slip, and pray that my belayer is paying attention in case I fall. Knowing how my life rests on these few whims sends surges of adrenaline through my veins, pushing me to climb upward with new power and strength. I believe in taking risks; I believe that a risk taker does not lead a monotonous, despondent and repetitive life, but will be rewarded with a more fulfilling, exciting and well rounded one.
From tasting that food you have never tried before, to going to that certain graduate school, to starting up a new business at the age of twenty, life presents us with so many opportunities to take risks. It seems as though everyday we turn down another corner and a new chance to take a risk is staring at us in the face. We are presented with the choice to take the risk or to let it pass us by. Although we do not necessarily have to take every risk …show more content…
Not everything that gets my heart rate up and adrenaline flowing is a smart decision. Rock climbing, for instance, is a “smart” risk, because although it is a pretty extreme and adrenaline-filled sport, it is almost completely safe if performed correctly. The chance of seriously injuring or killing myself is essentially zero if I am properly prepared. Going rock climbing without ropes or harnesses, on the other hand, is a stupid risk to take. Will it get my blood pumping and veins popping? Probably, but does the opportunity to have fun for a few minutes outweigh the possible chance of dying if I fall? I would argue that it does not. When taking risks I consider whether the outcome is worth the danger I am putting myself and those around me
October 4, 2011
The Great Conversation
This I Believe: Taking Risks
Dangling by several fingers 75 feet off the ground, separated from death by nothing more than a ten millimeter climbing rope, and a few carabineers, I rethink whether I remembered to clip in properly, hope that my fingers do not slip, and pray that my belayer is paying attention in case I fall. Knowing how my life rests on these few whims sends surges of adrenaline through my veins, pushing me to climb upward with new power and strength. I believe in taking risks; I believe that a risk taker does not lead a monotonous, despondent and repetitive life, but will be rewarded with a more fulfilling, exciting and well rounded one.
From tasting that food you have never tried before, to going to that certain graduate school, to starting up a new business at the age of twenty, life presents us with so many opportunities to take risks. It seems as though everyday we turn down another corner and a new chance to take a risk is staring at us in the face. We are presented with the choice to take the risk or to let it pass us by. Although we do not necessarily have to take every risk …show more content…
Not everything that gets my heart rate up and adrenaline flowing is a smart decision. Rock climbing, for instance, is a “smart” risk, because although it is a pretty extreme and adrenaline-filled sport, it is almost completely safe if performed correctly. The chance of seriously injuring or killing myself is essentially zero if I am properly prepared. Going rock climbing without ropes or harnesses, on the other hand, is a stupid risk to take. Will it get my blood pumping and veins popping? Probably, but does the opportunity to have fun for a few minutes outweigh the possible chance of dying if I fall? I would argue that it does not. When taking risks I consider whether the outcome is worth the danger I am putting myself and those around me