Rolling the dice

March 3, 2016

rolling-the-diceAs it turns out, I’m a roll-the-dice kind of girl. Show me a chance and I’ll probably take it and ask me for advice and I’ll almost always tell you to take the risk.  Rolling the dice became my way of life as a young person and I’m glad it did.

It’s a wonder, really, that I am the way that I am because every member of my immediate family has taken the path of least resistance.  Maybe I’m a throwback to my grandparents, who took a big risk when they left Sicily for America, a mythical place with a completely different language. True, they had family here to help make the path a little smoother once they got here, most of them, anyway. But it took a giant pair of cojones to make a change that significant. If you’ve got immigrant parents or grandparents, you know what I’m talkin’ about.

But whether it’s a job opportunity, a love interest or something else, if it looked like there was a chance for something big to happen, like happiness or fulfillment, I was always ready to take the risk.

I’m a lot less daring now, I think.  Now that I’m in my mid-60s, health care has become more important and that’s enough to keep me from floating around like I did when I was young.  There’s also less time now to make up losses. So, I’ve become realistic.

But if you’re young and energetic, like my nephews, for example, I always say Go for it!  But keep a few helpful hints in mind:

Expect the unexpected. Murphy’s Law pops up when you least expect it.

Be prepared for as much as you can, but realize you can’t prepare for everything. Some of the biggest blessings come from those things that come out of thin air: a job, a love affair, a friend. At the same time, things might not go so well. Be realistic.

Calculate the risk before you take it. If you’re investing in a new venture, if it goes south, can you afford to take the loss and start again?

Assess your options. Sometimes, it’s immediately clear that a particular path is so exciting and potentially fulfilling it’s worth the risk. Sometimes, it’s a matter of survival. I know more than one person close to my age forced to start again due to earlier bad decisions or circumstances that didn’t go their way. They may have had a tough climb at the start, but with focus and diligence, the risk that looked like their only option turned out to be a lifesaver.

I’m realistic enough to know that it doesn’t always go that way. But my life has taught me that the Divine always has our highest and best interests front and center. Father/Mother God has our backs, even when things seem challenging or dark.

So, I’ve got to ask: has rolling the dice in your life taught you anything? I’d love to hear in the Comments below.

 

 

27 comments on “Rolling the dice
  1. Jenn says:

    What an enjoyable read. I rolled the dice recently by the coming virtual assistant, starting Etsy shop , pushing my blog further than before. It’s hard for the first time I feel like I’m on the right path.

  2. Rolling the dice has taught me that it’s ok to take risk. If you never try you’ll never know. However one of the points in your blog is something I had to learn…calculate your risk!! It will help a ton. Thanks for sharing.

  3. I wish I was more of a risk taker, but I have always chosen the safe and secure path. I’m certain it’s a result of my peripatetic childhood!

  4. I’m a cautious risk taker. I do weight my options a bit then jump in with both feet!

  5. I’m kind of stuck right now but I’ve never been a risk taker. Darn it.

  6. Kate says:

    I like your analogy – rolling the dice. I have definitely been a (usually) calculated risk-taker. But actual gambling does nothing for me! I’ll take my chances playing Trivial Pursuit, but hate card games. Yes. It’s been a very adventurous, yet planned progression of a life, in many ways.

  7. Haralee says:

    I am a calculated risk taker except in physical challenging risks which I do not risk at all thinking that the dice will roll not in my favor and I will be the one to be eaten by sharks while snorkeling, attacked by Big Foot if skiing off trail etc.!

  8. Such a great concept of rolling the dice and making life decisions. I like how you mentioned calculating the risks and assessing options which is very important to make informed decisions.

  9. I’m a roll-the-dice kinda girl too. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve gotten a little more particular about when to roll them, but at the same time my gut instinct is to always risk it. Life is meant to be lived, not to just to exist. 🙂

  10. I’m take risks only very rarely and usually only after doing a lot of research that makes the risk seem less risky. My youngest daughter is the ultimate risk taker. I wish I were more like her.

  11. Elizabeth O. says:

    You have to be willing to take the risk and confident enough to face what happens next, otherwise you could lose yourself entirely and just become lost. I loved taking risks when I was a lot younger, because it’s a good teacher, you learn a lot along the way and you get to achieve your goals too.

  12. andrea says:

    i think my whole entire life could be summed up as a gamble – cos’ if i didn’t take the chances that i did…

  13. michelle says:

    I don’t always roll the dice and take a risk but I have done so quite a few times. I tend to leave big decisions up to risk which has for the most part turned out well

  14. I’m not a big risk taker but I don’t think I’ve ever regretted the chances I’ve taken. I’m with Haralee – I definitely don’t take physical risks and you will never find me skydiving!

  15. April G says:

    I enjoyed reading this. I became a virtual assistant because of my friend. I am trying to find my own client and take a risk and now, I am a full time VA

  16. Lexie Lane says:

    I like your post! Not a risk taker ’cause i dnt know what will happen next.

  17. Rosey says:

    I used to be big on taking the risk. Not so much so these days. 😉

  18. Czjai says:

    Great tips! I consider myself to be a risk-taker when I was younger, but now that I have a family of my own, I tend to be more cautious in making decisions and such.

  19. Carmela Mempin says:

    I’m a risk taker, and I’ve learned a lot in my entire life, it’s not easy, even my friendshipI can risk it in a thing that’s good.

  20. I have never been a risk-taker. My sister and I were actually just talking about this — how she is the risk-taker of the family who kind of lets life happen to her, while I calculate every move I’ve ever made. We’re certainly opposites in this respect and I do regret not being a little riskier in my life, but I am happy with where I ended up overall.

  21. Life is meant to believed so taking a risk or 20 is okay, I ma a rolling the dice kind of person and it has led me to some amazing things and to some not so cool things too…:) I live in UK because I rolled the dice…and walked away from a well paying high flying law career to married life and no job…story is long lol! So I fully relate Carol!

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Here you’ll find my blog, some of my essays, published writing, and my solo performances. There’s also a link to my Etsy shop for healing and grief tools offered through A Healing Spirit.

 

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