A word of caution about being too careful.

From the time we are born, we are told to be careful; by our parents, then our teachers, our doctors, our lawyers and just about anyone who wants us to avoid certain risks. It has often made me wonder whether we are more at risk of being “too careful” in our lives. As Thoreau once warned, we may be running an even greater risk of “carrying our songs to the grave.”

It seems to me that every act of caution carries with it some hidden risks and, unless we look at the risks on both sides of the equation, (the risk from inaction as well as action), we are lacking true balance in our lives. For example:

When a parent tries to avoid the risk of harm to their child or their lawn by refusing to let the child play in the park or run in the yard, they may be creating a greater risk of stifling the child’s social development.

When we avoid asking someone about their lives to avoid awkwardness, we may create a greater risk of appearing not to care.

When doctors hold back information to reduce the risk of being sued, they may seem to lack authenticity and create a risk that we will distrust them.

When lawyers tell us to put disclaimers on everything, they may appear to be putting their needs ahead of the clients.

When we avoid doing frivolous things so that we can work long hours to make a living, we run the risk that we will not live as long, or that we may not enjoy our lives quite as much.

When we avoid saying what we really think, in order to avoid being misunderstood, we create a greater risk that we may never truly be understood.

I heard Robert Gates say recently, that the only way to avoid making mistakes is to “say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.”

I am not saying we need to throw caution to the wind; but it might be okay to at least crack open a window to let it catch a little breeze.

So, all you who read this blog, this is your day, to go out and take those risks, make those mistakes, seize the day.

Caution: The content of this blog is for information purposes only. Please consult your doctor, lawyer, clergy and parents before doing anything out of the ordinary. The blogger is not responsible for any damage caused by the reckless behavior that may result from this advice. (However, if all goes well, I am hoping you will give me full credit.)