What does the word risk mean to you? What does it make you think of? A game? A choice? Love? What if that word meant all of the above?

Here's the formal definition; Risk: a situation involving exposure to danger.

You have to ask yourself again, what is considered dangerous?

I'll answer that for you; Life. Life in its entirety is considered dangerous. It's a constant game of "what are you willing to risk to get what you want?" Are you willing to risk your heart in order to have the love of your life? Are you even willing to risk your heart for a date that can turn into something bigger than you ever intended? What about your money? Are you willing to risk all of your finances to start a business you believe in? How about your life? Are you willing to risk your life for someone you care about or don't even know? I would love to tell you that you should whole heartedly say yes to all of these questions, but I can't when I'm not sure of them myself.

Here's the thing- we as people are terrified. Terrified of commitment, of love, of settling, and of our very own actions.

What if I fail? What if I get rejected? What if he or she breaks my heart? What if I end up alone? These are questions that often run through our minds frequently. What we have to realize is this; if we don't take any risks in our life, what will come of that? Answer: nothing.

You will live a life accomplishing the very minimum. You might have a job that doesn't feel like work, or you won't. You may live an extravagant life (not meaning you'll be rich financially, but you'll be rich with wisdom) or you will simply settle. Why not take that risk to be something greater than you ever imagined.

A wise man (my dad) once told me there are two reasons why people don't do things; 1. You don't want to. 2. You don't know how, and if you don't know how you never wanted to. That's pretty simple right?

Here's what I know about risk at my very young, but seemingly old 20 years: I feel like haven't risked much, but I know I kind of have.

I've risked my heart more times than not. With relationships, friendships, school and so much more. With that being said, I got to experience what love felt like. Not high school homecoming games love, but actual love. The kind where you become someone's best friend, the kind where you become someone's everything, the kind that encompasses your life, and the kind you have to eventually say goodbye to. Some say that love wasn't really love, which is funny to me because everyone has had a first love, so they know exactly how real that is.

Here's my advice to you; take the risk now. No don't let people walk all over you, but allow yourself to feel deeper than you've allowed before. Take that job that's halfway across the country, go on that date even though you scared, and never take the life we've been given for granted. You only get to experience these wonderful adventures once, so make them memorable. Never give up, never back down, and never lose your self confidence. These are the things that are going to take you further than you will ever dream. So why not take the risk?