One of the great “What a darn shame“s of life is that we are born risk-takers. (Hang out with a two-year old for a day if you have forgotten this truth!) We’re pretty much born believing that nothing is out of the question, everything is possible and that, well doggone it, we can do ANYTHING!
Unfortunately, over the years we lose this magic – and, as far as I’m concerned that’s exactly what it is. Magic.
When I was growing up, I played softball every single summer. My first year, I was positioned behind the plate as catcher because I was the youngest and the smallest.
Hated it there! The action was on the other side of the plate… and this gal wanted to be there. I got my chance one day when the coach’s daughter (our pitcher) was sick. He asked if any of us could pitch – I threw up my hand and said, “I can!”
I had never pitched in my life.
I struck the first batter out. Why? I believed I could.
When the daughter was well, we took turns pitching and when I wasn’t pitching, I played third base? Why? One day, our third baseman decided she didn’t want to play softball anymore and quit. I marched up to the coach and said I could play third.
Again, I had never done it in my life, but I took a risk, again.
I spent the rest of my softball playing life (through the preteens and teens) playing pitcher and third base and (tossing modesty aside for just a moment) I was darn good at both.
Little girl me had guts and took risks – whether it was on unicycles, ten speed bicycles, climbing trees, or playing softball. Adult me? Not so much.
Isn’t it a shame we lose some of that magic as we grow older?! Below is a fantastic infographic about risk-taking, with life lessons from stunt drivers. It’s crazy fun and has a lot of wisdom. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. ~ Joi
Infographic Credit: The Zebra
