Taking Creativity Risks
risk n : exposure to possible loss or injury. –
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary
By Chris Dunmire
I recently learned a valuable lesson in risk taking. No, it didn't involve
investing money or losing anything of physical value. Rather, it was a risk
in either being embraced or rejected by revealing a personal part of myself
amongst a room of strangers.
Guess what happened?
I was embraced and
rejected.
Isn't it funny how in a situation like this, we often overlook the positives
and allow the negatives to weigh us
down?
And no, it's not pleasant to experience rejection of our sincere contributions
or ideas, especially when our goal is to inspire others to be their very
best. But it
happens.
Living in a world with diverse ideas and personalities assures
that people won't see eye-to-eye all of the time. Some may be thoughtless
or hurtful with their words, trying to
discourage our
efforts
and dreams. Don't let them. Remember, words reveal more about the one speaking
them rather than the recipient of them. What I learned this time around can be summed up in the comforting words of
Ralph Waldo Emerson:
“Do not be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life
is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better. What if they
are
a little
course, and you may get your coat soiled or torn? What if you do fail,
and get fairly rolled in the dirt once or twice. Up again, you shall never
be so
afraid of a tumble.”
Keep Taking Risks
We all have to take risks sometime or another. Some are forced upon us by
circumstance, and others are born through gut instinct. But what about choosing to
take risks that we know will yield mixed results or allow
self-doubt
to
creep
in? Should we stop opening new doors
just because what we find inside is not always favorable?
I don't think so.
In fact, I encourage "us" to push through
anyway and not shrink back in letting ourselves shine. Overcoming adversity
helps us to grow and makes us stronger people. Most importantly, being
authentic and true to ourselves — whether or not others embrace us is
the finest gift we can give to ourselves. It's true: We can't please everyone. But then again, we really don't have
to. •
© Chris Dunmire 2004. All rights reserved.
Please respect the creator's copyright by not duplicating this material on your Web site, blog, or print publication without the author's permission.
 About the Author | More by Chris Dunmire
Chris Dunmire is an artist, humorist, workshop facilitator, and the driving force behind the Creativity Portal Web site. Chris trained as a creativity coach with Eric Maisel, Ph.D. and inspires people of all ages with her Web sites and printable playbooks — including the world-famous Dollar Bill Origami Money Plant.
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