Is there something big that you want more of in your life? What do you have to risk getting the reward?

Joanna Gaines in an article titled, “Stepping Into the Unknown,” wrote “You could be in danger of reaching for something big and beautiful. Something that might just change everything.”

Risk. The definition is a situation that exposes you to danger. What kind of danger? And is the danger worth the risk? Can we be brave enough to face our fears and the things we think are dangerous in order to receive the rewards we are seeking in life—to have the beautiful life we long for.

Did you know that taking risks could put you in danger of having the life you’ve always imagined? And, that sometimes the reward itself is in the very act of taking a risk. Or learning how you are braver than you previously thought. What if the risk is a conversation you need to have with your boss, your spouse, your parents… but fear has kept you from having that conversation that could lead to clarity and a stronger relationship. Is it risky not to have the conversation? Or to have it? I think it depends on what you are personally willing to risk.

Sometimes risk looks like confidence in pursuing what is right even if it isn’t popular. In this case you don’t want to risk your integrity for popularity or acceptance. Sometimes risk looks like loving people even when it’s hard and keeping your heart open by wearing your heart on your sleeve or taking a chance on love. It’s risky not to hide your heart. But, to live a life full of reciprocated love it takes risk to find your person. And, sometimes risk looks like saying, “no” and sometimes like saying “yes.” Every single day we have the opportunity to take risks and to push the unknown.

Dream risks –The world needs risk takers. What if you were put on this earth to enable the divine purpose of the universe to unfold. What if you believed you were that important? Have you heard the parable of the beggar?

An excerpt from The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle.

A beggar had been sitting on the side of the road for over thirty years. One day a stranger walked by. “Spare some change?” mumbled the beggar, mechanically holding out his old baseball cap. “I have nothing to give you,” said the stranger. Then he asked: “What’s that you’re sitting on?” “Nothing,” replied the beggar. “Just an old box. I have been sitting on it for as long as I can remember.” “Ever looked inside?” asked the stranger. “No,” said the beggar. “What’s the point? There’s nothing in there.” “Have a look inside,” insisted the stranger. The beggar managed to pry open the lid. With astonishment, disbelief, and elation, he saw that the box was filled with gold.

What if, like the beggar, you already have everything you need within you to live the beautiful life you have always wanted? What if the treasure is already within you, but you have to take the risk to be brave and share your dream, or quit something, or start something new? What if you don’t have to keep waiting for something to happen, or someone to give you something? What if you have to find it within yourself to become who you were meant to be and share your unique giftings with the world?

Now, from personal experience I understand that just as the beggar was asking for money, we too need money and resources to accomplish the dreams in our hearts. So how can you take financial risks to help you get there?

Financial risks –

I think risk… and reward go hand in hand. It’s scary to make a more aggressive financial investment. But, if you’re dreaming of creating a life of legacy for future generations maybe the risk is worth it. Maybe it’s riskier to not invest and settle for a life of mediocrity and scarcity. Here is a Biblical parable that addresses this in Matthew 25:14–30. It tells of a master who was leaving his house to travel, and before leaving, entrusted his property to his servants. … Upon returning home, after a long absence, the master asks his three servants for an account of the talents he entrusted to them.

The Parable of the Talents

14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants[a] and entrusted to them his property.15 To one he gave five talents,[b] to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 He who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.[c] You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Who took the risk? Who did nothing with their wealth? Who are you in this story? Who do you want to be?

The lesson in this parable is that we have to take a risk to receive the reward. We have to invest and take what we’ve been given and create more from it. It takes bravery and wisdom. This of course applies to finances specifically and should remind you to take a look at how you are managing your money. Do you want to double your money by making wise investments? Of course, you do! So, don’t let fear cripple you, even if you have little, take what little you have and continue to invest it and grow it. At Goodwin Investment Advisory. we can help you with the finance part. We can help guide you to create your dream retirement, or assess your current retirement plan. We can even help you redefine what your retirement looks like. We want to see your family empowered with confidence that your legacy will last for generations. We would love to be here to encourage you in your journey.

This parable also correlates to our lives. We’ve been given so much! Just as the beggar in the previous story. You have been given unique abilities and talents to use for the betterment of this world and the collective humanity. Figure out ways you can step out of your comfort zone to use your gifts more – you will live a more fulfilling life and the risk will be worth the reward. Because, even if you fail, you tried! You stepped out and put yourself into it. That is truly not failure, because true failure is never trying at all. Your friends and family will all encourage and celebrate you along the way.

A few questions to keep you thinking and moving toward your bigger, better future.