“There came a time when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” ~ Anais Nin
Last night a friend shared a question that her pastor posed to their congregation on Sunday. The sermon was on taking risks to listen to God (The Voice Within Us) or playing it safe.
Here’s the question:
“What are you losing by not taking the risk?”
What are you losing by playing it safe, staying exactly where you are, staying in the “known” even though you “know” that something is calling you to get up, shed that old way of thinking and living, and embrace this unknown, don’t-know-where-it-will-take-you-but-you-know-with-everything-in-you-that-you-have-to-follow prompting of your heart?
What are you losing by not listening to your heart?
This isn’t to guilt us in to taking action. It’s to get real with ourselves. It’s to get to the truth that is rising up from within us. It’s to see more clearly that you are being called — called to take a risk and go into the unknown. It’s a call to trust — to trust the divine within you that you will be buffered, held, even healed.
What are you losing by not taking the risk? What are you losing by playing it safe?
Maybe it’s time. Maybe it’s time to ask yourself what you are losing by staying exactly where you are and playing it safe.
Maybe it’s time. Maybe it’s time to leap…and say, “Ok, let’s do this.”
Maybe at first, there is a “What am I doing?”
But I have found that the times when I follow that voice within, when I follow what most delights my heart, all that doubt and fear are followed by a deep “YES!”
And somehow, grace enters. And I am at peace. Totally in the unknown, but at peace.
Mantras we can say to ourselves:
“Today I am choosing peace as I align with my heart.”
“Today I am choosing to risk following God/the Voice Within.”
“Today I say YES.”
*This beautiful wrist wrap support you in saying that YES. Put it around your wrist and let it inspire you throughout the day. It reads: “Now is the time to be bold, to speak that courageous yes and embody what I have been born to do.”
That’s a great question! I may have to use it sometime (for others, not me, I never play it safe)!
Mark! I think this is why you inspire me! You don’t “play it safe!” My dear friend called me after she came out of church and told me about this sermon. I’m sure you give sermons like this all the time!
I don’t necessarily like “ending” the inquiry there with asking something that’s negative (“what are you losing by not taking the risk”), but it sure is part of the process/journey of “getting real” with ourselves.
I also don’t necessarily like the idea of putting things in to “gaining” and “losing” but again, it can be part of the discerning process. For me, this question cut right to what the divine is telling me/showing me/leading me in to — “Lis, this is what’s most important and on your heart right now. Follow this.”
I can feel the essence of this message loud and clearly Lisa. Thank you.. we can get so wrapped up in security and safety that we sacrifice feeling – love – and the true joys of living. Trust is the key word here to me. It allows us to be safe even if we are taking risk. Lovely wonderful post my dear wise friend!
Blessings and Love ~ Robyn
Robyn, thank you. Yes, trust IS the key. It creates a sense of peace deep within us that fortifies us. I know you know how that goes! You live with a deep trust, Robyn. It inspires soooo many. Lisa
When we play it safe we wind up missing the journey. Well done, Lisa. Love and hugs, Brenda
Definitely, Brenda! Yes, we miss the journey. We miss the beauty RIGHT HERE! We miss the opportunity for even a deeper sense of aliveness. Thank you, Brenda! Love, Lisa