Love

Love is what springs up
when you're looking
in the other direction;
what rushes in
when your definitions drop away.
...When you absolutely
don't know anything
whatsoever anymore,
there It is--
painting Itself madly across your life
with sudden strokes
and unexpectedly rash ink.

Today, be the flower

Today, be the flower
that grows from a rock.

Be the silk breeze
that soothes heated hearts.
...
Be the candle flame
that banishes darkness.

Be the fresh stream
that gives fish a home.

Be the stillness
that provokes sweet peace.

Be the smile
that quenches all fear.

These
are the seeds of joy.

To laugh is to risk appearing a fool.
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.
To reach out for another is to risk involvement.
To expose feelings is to risk revealing your true self.
To place you ideas, your dreams, before a crowd
...Is to risk rejection.
To love is to risk not being loved in return.
To live is to risk dying.
To hope is to risk disappointment.
To try is to risk failure.
But risks must be taken, because the greatest hazard
In life is to risk nothing.
Those who risk nothing, do nothing, have nothing,
And become nothing.
They may avoid present suffering and sorrow, but they
Will not learn, feel, change, grow, love, or live.
Chained by their fear, they are slaves who have forfeited
Their freedom.
Only a person who risks is free.
The pessimist complains about the wind;
The optimist expects it to change;
And the realist adjusts the sails.
~ William Arthur Ward ~