When looking at how our actions, thoughts, or choices are going to impact ourselves and others in our lives we’re assessing risk. Basically, what’s the hazard or potential negative outcome inherent in what we’re considering or what is the possibility of something bad happening.
We sure do love our certainty though. So much so that we put blinders on so that we don’t see the risk of “not” doing something instead of what the risk is in actually doing it.
I’d say one of the biggest risks we can take in life is to pursue things that we’ve been told we aren’t allowed to. It’s risky to go against our unconscious preferences of how to be, what to want, or what to like.
Throughout our childhoods we’re imprinted with all the “should’s” and “supposed to’s”. This is where our need for connection receptors get engaged and drive unconscious compliance to act, think, and make choices based on belonging rather that it being our actual preference.
An important part of our development is to learn about physical boundaries. This is relatively simple and for the most part we learn this in childhood. “Keep your hands and feet to yourself.” “No hitting.” “No biting.” Etc etc…
Then we might learn about emotional boundaries. This is where I choose how I feel and what I feel. And hopefully develop the ability to manage those feelings and emotions under normal circumstances. Have ever said or been told,”Don’t tell me how to feel!”?
Here come what I call spiritual boundaries and this is where I get to go on my own journey in figuring out what to believe in life and choose the different philosophical systems I see life through.
How do we go about updating what we believe we’re required to do in life and what is expected of us?
Throughout life this comes natural and earlier for some while in others it’s something so dangerous and risky it is literally never considered. My idea is that the process of examination means thinking about things that we’ve avoided and entertaining things that we previously told ourselves we didn’t like.
So in order to find and get to know the deeper parts of ourselves we need to take risks. This is the way to truly learn what is required and necessary and what isn’t. I think we all need to look deeply at what we’re doing that we Do Not Have To Do.
Risk has a scale or spectrum just like most things in life and for you I suggest you navigate your way to the sweet spot of that spectrum. Are you there?
The opportunity:
Is it time for some venturing away from what you were taught far enough to find out things about yourself that you may not have previously allowed?
Are you willing to risk your relationships that would have you stay the same and comply with the old constructs you’ve lived through?
Have you found the value of your life by putting it at risk?
Thanks for your time, have a great day!