RISK

Definition of Risk:
a situation involving exposure to danger.

Synonyms of Risk:
possibility, likelihood, danger, peril, threat, menace, prospect etc.

These notes are from recovery in AA and/or related 12 step programs. Readers are encouraged to click external links for more detail. We hope you find them helpful.

Love in fellowship.

To laugh is to risk appearing a fool,
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.

To reach out to another is to risk involvement,
To expose feelings is to risk exposing your true self.
To place your ideas and dreams before a crowd is to risk their loss.

To love is to risk not being loved in return
To live is to risk dying,
To hope is to risk despair,
To try is to risk failure.

But risks must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing. The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing.

He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he cannot learn, feel, change, grow or live.

Chained by his servitude he is a slave who has forfeited all 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. –Unknown | More…

Take a risk. Take a chance.
We can allow ourselves to take positive risks in recovery.

We cannot afford to keep ourselves paralyzed.
Naturally, we will make mistakes and fail from time to time.

The goal of recovery is not to live life perfectly. The goal of recovery is to live, learn our lessons, and make overall progress. Dust yourself off after a mistake, and then move on to the success. –The Language of Letting Go/Melody Beattie | More…

There are only a few practices that really must be considered unacceptable for recovering people. What practices might come under the heading of risky?

A dangerous one, common among young and old alcoholics alike, is returning to the old crowd that’s still drinking and drugging. It’s risky to associate with our former drinking lifestyles, and we’ll recognize this if we’re working our program. –Walk In Dry Places/Mel B | More…