“No Risk, No Story”
I saw this simple quote the other day and it reminded me to understand how to expect what I’m currently feeling and will feel. I’m reminded of standing at the top of a cornice, strapped into my snowboard, dropping into a chute that will lead to a small cliff to jump off. The risk was inherent but so was the feeling, the sequence of turns and balance at the right moments to land everything and ride away. I’ve also had stories that end in broken bones and the ski patrol standing over me. Risk is easy to think about when it comes to fun things. Recreational stories around adventure and pushing physical limits along with the rush those things bring. The excitement that comes alongside the risk is a lot of fun and results in a lot of good stories even though the outcomes are varying.
There’s another side of the quote though. One I’m feeling right now. Less recreational, more boring and serious consequences. Risk that means waking up in the morning wondering how you’re going to make it work. Risk that brings times it’ll feel like you’re really onto something and times you really think you’re an idiot for doing this, after all. I’ve failed plenty of times with plenty of ideas, and a few have stuck too, but with life there’s no ski patrol above you to make sure you’re okay or splint your metaphorical broken bones. The good and the bad are both part of my story but there’s really two things defining my life; the risks that worked out for the best and the ways I’ve responded after the ones that didn’t.
Right now I’ve got a bit of an intersection where I don’t know what the right way to go is. I don’t know which ledge to jump off of because there’s so much unknown. A few things I thought were sure appear to be going away so I’ve got to adapt, rethink, recreate the way through no matter the obstacles. When the sharp end of risk’s blade points your way is when it’s time to duel. Most great stories have fight scenes.