Risk
Wednesday, April 17, 2013 at 7:43AM To grow, we need to take risks. When we take risks, we’re out of our comfort zone. So growth is married to risk. They are lifers, with no chance whatsoever of divorce. We don’t grow inside our comfort zones. It’s just that simple.
In relationships, if the relationship is going to grow, if each person is going to grow, both partners need to take risks with one another. Playing it too safe will slowly kill a relationship. Like little doses of arsenic that build up over time to a deadly critical mass within.
I’m not professing that your relationship should be one long foray into mutual uncomfortableness. That’s not a relationship. That’s bad couples therapy. What I am saying, though, is that it’s important for couples to actively support each other in taking risks with one another. If you’re both risking, and are both supporting each other, then it’s not so scary. It’s not so uncomfortable. It can even be fun. In fact, it’s supposed to be exciting, at least some of the time. You’re growing. Your partner is growing. Your relationship is growing. You're traveling and discovering and exploring new worlds, together. If that doesn’t excite you, then check your pulse. You may be emotionally flat lining.
Where do you take risks? And where do you avoid taking risks? Some of us are adrenaline hounds, and will risk our well being or even our lives with acts of skydiving, bungee jumping, or skiing very fast. Some of us love to risk money. We will put a piece of our net worth up for grabs on a speculative stock or business deal.
I’m not talking about the kind of foolhardy risk that borders on the absurd or the addictive. And I’m not even saying I know where that line is. It’s different for everybody. My point is, we all take risks. And we all avoid risks. The question is where do we do that? And to what degree?
Something to ponder.
©2013 Clint Piatelli, MuscleHeart, and Red F Publishing. All rights reserved.
Change, Love, Relationships 
Reader Comments (2)
Your timing on this one is amazing. The risk I have been thinking about is not a relationship one but more of an environment/life one. For some time now I have been contemplating a change – a “risk” in the fact that I want to move, not just from my current house but move away someplace completely new, new town, new state. But last night it was weighing even heavier on my mind. I had wanted to make this move 20 years ago but I got pregnant and decided against it and have put it out of my mind while he was growing up. He is now, not only grown up but a Marine so the chances of him being back to his “hometown” anytime soon is slim to none. I know I eventually want to be somewhat near wherever his life lands him, but not until he is married with children. But I am itching to make a change NOW, but afraid to make the leap at the same time, afraid to step out of my comfort zone. So, thank you for your insight on taking risks and encouraging the stepping out of “our comfort zone”. As I still consider this even more now than ever and weigh my options even more, I am slightly less fearful. Thank you.
You're welcome Tara. That you benefited from something I wrote is what it's all about. So Thank You, Tara.
Clint