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A ScooterLink Publication
A column for today's seniors by Cyn LoPinto, M.A., Gerontologist
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DARE TO TAKE RISKS
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We can all conjure up memories of times as children in which we "threw caution to the wind," and just went along with what our gut was saying. We took a chance. It was this internal message that encouraged us to go towards unknown territory. It was all a part of growing up and testing the waters. The testing didn't stop after childhood either. When we finally left our parents' house and went out on our own, we definitely entered a period of uncertainty. But with the independence that came from such a big move, the price was well worth it. It was a time of self-discovery and growth. For those of us who were privileged enough to have children of our own, we entered one of the most unknown roles of all, that of parents! This life stage is also the most perfect example of an outcome being well worth the gamble. Between childbirth and child rearing, who knew what was in store? None of us were really sure. However, like before, we just figured it out. In the work-world, it was probably the same thing. Many of us learned "on the job" with very little structured training and guidance. We got in there and did our best. As our jobs went through the normal changes and modifications, we adapted accordingly. These may have been overwhelming at the time, but we did it anyway. While it is a smart idea to listen to that voice inside warning about impending risks, make sure you aren't avoiding new experiences for the wrong reasons. Many of us engage in anticipatory worrying that stops us from taking a chance on new opportunities. These "what ifs" can be crippling, and most of the time, our worrying is a waste. Our imagination gets the best of us and none of our conceived problems end up happening. |