RISKS-Did You Take Enough?

xstarxdustx

Reflecting on your life so far, did you take enough risks (in relation to anything, career, school, family ) ?

Are there some you wish you'd taken so you wouldn't be where you are now ?

Some you wish you hadn't ?

Stump_Likker

Have taken plenty and have plenty more to take.

I don't regret anything because at that time it was exactly what I wanted.

lightdiva1

I honestly regret nothing. I am who I am today because I made all those choices. Sure, it would be nice to already be at my fitness goals, but this journey is about so much more than a hot body. I wouldn't be learning as much about myself had I not made all of those choices.

JeremiahStone

ready to take more

DainaLC

I wouldn't change a thing, cause that would change who I am today. And if a risk comes along tomorrow, maybe I'll take it, maybe I won't. It depends on who I am tomorrow. :flowerforyou:

iorahkwano

I've done plenty of risky things in school, career & travel. However, I've never been risky in the love life department. I've never been in a relationship or dated, mostly because the dating scene here is terrible. But I was very shy with guys for a long time & am still learning how to flirt or be brave enough to let someone know I like them. Sometimes I wonder if I should have taken more risks instead of being so guarded & suspicious of other people's intentions.

xstarxdustx

Agree wholeheartedly with all of the above. The past helps make who you are today. Negative experiences can be turned into positive ones as long as we can find a lesson in them. But, without hindsight bias, how would you know whether or not you should take a risk?

Is life worth living if you don't take risks? Thoughts?

SmartAlec03211988

I haven't taken many risks, but then again I haven't had many opportunities to take them. I think taking risks is a good way to experience life and all it has to offer though.

One recent risk I took was traveling to a foreign country, not knowing a single word in the local language, and meeting a group of people I've only corresponded with over the internet. Everyone I told expected me to go and never come back because I was apparently going to be kidnapped and sold into sex slavery.

Alas, I returned safe and sound, and came back with an experience of a lifetime.

snowboardandasuitcase

I think I've done pretty well in my 25 years.

I've been "a bit" reckless. I've done a decent amount of "adrenaline-related activities" that often appear on bucket lists. I've made unbelievable memories, and good friends from distant lands. I've had nights I don't remember, and days I'll never forget. I've moved across the world for love. I've been BROKE in the name of snowboarding. I've been rich in family and friends. Ive been lost, and I've experienced loss. I've been a "beginner" at seriously tough activites more times than I can count, and I've been a serious failure at more than half of them. I've been hurt, injured and devastated, but I'm so happy at this point in my life, that I can't even imagine regretting anything.

The next 25 will bring challenges of a whole new level; marriage? motherhood? minivan?
But I don't really see anything as a "risk" per se, more so an "adventure."

And I love me an adventure...

xstarxdustx

I haven't taken many risks, but then again I haven't had many opportunities to take them. I think taking risks is a good way to experience life and all it has to offer though.

One recent risk I took was traveling to a foreign country, not knowing a single word in the local language, and meeting a group of people I've only corresponded with over the internet. Everyone I told expected me to go and never come back because I was apparently going to be kidnapped and sold into sex slavery.

Alas, I returned safe and sound, and came back with an experience of a lifetime.

^ Awesome !

leebesstoad

Oh, have I thought about this question so much over the last couple of years. There are many men in my situation who have. And it isn't an easy answer.

In many ways, I wish I had risked coming out when I was younger. Spending almost 40 years in the closet can be a horribly lonely and desolate place. Don't get me wrong, I've had a good life too. But there is part of you, constantly gnawing at you. I had a safe place in college but didn't due to family and society pressures. Instead, I did what so many men like me did at that time. I got married. We had a son. So that wouldn't have been possible. And my wife and I are still great friends who care about each other.

But there comes a time where the risk is to not come out. The risk to your health, to your sanity, to your very life. And so I came out. And it has been the most freeing thing I have ever done.

I have no doubt if I had risked coming out early in my life, I would have been dead by now in the first wave of AIDS cases. I lost quite a few classmates and friends. Names on the AIDS quilt. Teachers, classmates. Mine would have been on there.

But without the experiences I've lived, I wouldn't be who I am. I wouldn't have the great love of my life I have with my partner. I wouldn't have developed the sense of empathy I have for those struggling with personal issues because I know how tough it can be. So I can't regret too much

And even though I hope to have many years left, I know I'm on the downhill side of life. And like so many gay men who are friends of mine, we seem to communicate our thoughts and feelings best through song lyrics. And one song which I have sung many times at karaoke says what I have felt so often over the last couple of years. My Way by Frank Sinatra.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXr59ZKaVTI

xstarxdustx

I think I've done pretty well in my 25 years.

I've been "a bit" reckless. I've done a decent amount of "adrenaline-related activities" that often appear on bucket lists. I've made unbelievable memories, and good friends from distant lands. I've had nights I don't remember, and days I'll never forget. I've moved across the world for love. I've been BROKE in the name of snowboarding. I've been rich in family and friends. Ive been lost, and I've experienced loss. I've been a "beginner" at seriously tough activites more times than I can count, and I've been a serious failure at more than half of them. I've been hurt, injured and devastated, but I'm so happy at this point in my life, that I can't even imagine regretting anything.

The next 25 will bring challenges of a whole new level; marriage? motherhood? minivan?
But I don't really see anything as a "risk" per se, more so an "adventure."

And I love me an adventure...

^ This is the way to live. Very happy for you.

xstarxdustx

Oh, have I thought about this question so much over the last couple of years. There are many men in my situation who have. And it isn't an easy answer.

In many ways, I wish I had risked coming out when I was younger. Spending almost 40 years in the closet can be a horribly lonely and desolate place. Don't get me wrong, I've had a good life too. But there is part of you, constantly gnawing at you. I had a safe place in college but didn't due to family and society pressures. Instead, I did what so many men like me did at that time. I got married. We had a son. So that wouldn't have been possible. And my wife and I are still great friends who care about each other.

But there comes a time where the risk is to not come out. The risk to your health, to your sanity, to your very life. And so I came out. And it has been the most freeing thing I have ever done.

I have no doubt if I had risked coming out early in my life, I would have been dead by now in the first wave of AIDS cases. I lost quite a few classmates and friends. Names on the AIDS quilt. Teachers, classmates. Mine would have been on there.

But without the experiences I've lived, I wouldn't be who I am. I wouldn't have the great love of my life I have with my partner. I wouldn't have developed the sense of empathy I have for those struggling with personal issues because I know how tough it can be. So I can't regret too much

And even though I hope to have many years left, I know I'm on the downhill side of life. And like so many gay men who are friends of mine, we seem to communicate our thoughts and feelings best through song lyrics. And one song which I have sung many times at karaoke says what I have felt so often over the last couple of years. My Way by Frank Sinatra.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXr59ZKaVTI

It is a shame that oppression like this used to and still exists. I can imagine it's 'better' now, but people should in the end be free to be who they want and who they were meant to be. Really great insight. Thank you for being comfortable to share this on here.

TitzzMcGhee

I don't have any regrets. I've learned from all the mishaps and hope I can continue to learn from risks I take in the future.

anemoneprose

too many risks for love or fear (lol, actually that's just poor decision-making and messed up priorities). done with these.

nowhere near enough for the things i actually wanted to do, for myself. taking some of these ones now

berriboobear

Nope. I am a very cautious person - I worry a ton and like to have things planned out. The unknown scares me... It's something I'm working on, because I know I could let loose a little ><

highervibes

I wouldn't call myself a risk taker exactly, but I have taken a few big ones. Some turned out in my favor and some didn't but I'm happy knowing I'm exactly where I"m "supposed" to be according to the big ole Universe.

xstarxdustx

Nope. I am a very cautious person - I worry a ton and like to have things planned out. The unknown scares me... It's something I'm working on, because I know I could let loose a little ><

Right there with you. I'm pretty much the same way.

TeachTheGirl

I moved overseas to be with my husband, I left my family behind. Before then, I'd never been farther than York (I lived in Bristol, UK) so I'd say that was a pretty huge risk.

I find as I become more confident, I am better able to take more risks.

Fiercely_Me

In every aspect of life I've taken risks, but mostly in love and my career.Some caused me pain. Some caused me love. Some even caused me pain and love. Nonetheless, all of those risks have strengthened me, one way or another.

I don't want to go through life always wondering, ""What if?" I want to live life to the fullest, and not simply exist.

mestacy010

No I haven't, but I'm still working on it

BluejayNY

Major risks were marrying my ex and choosing to stay with him once I learned about his lies, anger, and addiction. I suppose you could say I regret it in that maybe I wasted some time. But I have grown as a person from it. I am so much stronger.

A risk I wish I took was when he said I had to go to Korea or our marriage would die I should have stood up for myself and said I needed him to support my dreams and let me go to nursing school. That I do regret. I should have taken the risk and called his bluff. If he gave up on our marriage over it then I would have just arrived at the same end much sooner, but with the degree/career I really wanted.

I tend to think there is little point in dwelling in the decisions we made. They are done. Now its time to think about what risks to take in the future!

mestacy010

Major risks were marrying my ex and choosing to stay with him once I learned about his lies, anger, and addiction. I suppose you could say I regret it in that maybe I wasted some time. But I have grown as a person from it. I am so much stronger.

A risk I wish I took was when he said I had to go to Korea or our marriage would die I should have stood up for myself and said I needed him to support my dreams and let me go to nursing school. That I do regret. I should have taken the risk and called his bluff. If he gave up on our marriage over it then I would have just arrived at the same end much sooner, but with the degree/career I really wanted.

I tend to think there is little point in dwelling in the decisions we made. They are done. Now its time to think about what risks to take in the future!

My story isn't exactly the same, but I went through a lot of the same!

Timshel_

Reflecting on your life so far, did you take enough risks (in relation to anything, career, school, family ) ?

Of course. There were so many opportunities, both bad and good. Who knows what would have happened. Fact is, I never will.

But I have learned from those failures to go out on a limb and take the risk. I *try* to be better about it now and go that extra mile to see what else is beyond my comfort zone.

snowboardandasuitcase

I think I've done pretty well in my 25 years.

I've been "a bit" reckless. I've done a decent amount of "adrenaline-related activities" that often appear on bucket lists. I've made unbelievable memories, and good friends from distant lands. I've had nights I don't remember, and days I'll never forget. I've moved across the world for love. I've been BROKE in the name of snowboarding. I've been rich in family and friends. Ive been lost, and I've experienced loss. I've been a "beginner" at seriously tough activites more times than I can count, and I've been a serious failure at more than half of them. I've been hurt, injured and devastated, but I'm so happy at this point in my life, that I can't even imagine regretting anything.

The next 25 will bring challenges of a whole new level; marriage? motherhood? minivan?
But I don't really see anything as a "risk" per se, more so an "adventure."

And I love me an adventure...

^ This is the way to live. Very happy for you.

I do what I can