I am not risk averse. the best moments of my life have often involved risks sometimes serious risks, especially in the Middle East and Central Africa. I like danger because it makes the moment intense vivid and reminds me how brief and beautiful life is. i’ve ridden motorbikes through towns teeming with armed rebels hitched airplane rides with dodgy diamond dealers and ignored curfews to go to a (very good) all night party
but these are the obvious risks; the more existential dangers are those of our hearts, who we love and what we do about it and these of course can change our lives in radically different ways – so now risks for me are as much about being open or vulnerable especially with myself, getting stuck into how I’m actually feeling and sitting with the sad stink of my fears to get to know them – and maybe be able to kiss them goodbye, or at least give them some time off
if you do struggle with risks maybe start to nurture your inner chimp or gut instinct – this book by Liverpool FC psychiatrist Steve Peters was really useful and still sits on my bookcase reminding me amongst other gems that fear controls us as much as we let the beast so its good to learn to unleash it and hey – mostly the sky doesn’t fall in
and the best advice I ever ever read about risks and decisions was to make clear decisions – so when I’m stuck that is the tune I sing to myself
