“Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.” – Helen Keller

On the Zambian side of River Zambezi the water is almost still near the bank of the river. In there you can swim to mere centimetres away from the edge, and look over the edge to see how the water right beside you plunges into the deep. This is known as the Devil’s Pool Victoria Falls.

Devil’s Pool is a natural pool of water that’s situated atop of Victoria Falls, renown for being among the largest waterfalls in the world. Right on the edge of this massive waterfall, a calm pool of water forms. Devil’s Pool is really for daredevils.

Recently, I watched a YouTube of these daring people swimming at Devil’s Pool. It was scary to even watch, I could feel the feelings on the edge, scared that someone fall into the steep Victoria Falls. Fortunately, no one fell in the video I was watching.

Every day we face challenges and risk. We get into a vehicle, risking some sort of accident due to someone being careless, drunk, or maybe even texting—although I know none of you has ever done any of the before mentioned. Just rolling over in bed and opening our eyes is a risk we take. You can fall out of the bed or be exposed to some life-threatening bacteria, virus or disease lurking in your body. And, just like taking a risk being on the edge at Devil’s Pool so are the millions of chances that each of get in a day. For some of us taking the next risk step means life and death and for us taking the risk means more thrill.

Don’t get me wrong, risks have consequences. I for one have borne my own risks for things I have done, for example, after high I left home for university, then moved to Canada and since then I have not had another opportunity to be together with my nine siblings in one sitting. It has been many years of being away, and during this time I had to burry many relatives, who I did not get chance to spend time with. I took this risk because I wanted better future for myself, my siblings and my children. I am very grateful that I took the risk because I have been able to touch thousands of lives through my gifts.And I would not be where I am today, if I had spent my life living inside my comfort zone instead of taking risks and daring greatly. I encourage you to expose yourself to life. Get out of your comfort zone and try a different meal, visit a different city, try a new hobby. Let your life be a “daring adventure!”.

At the beginning of this blog I used a quote from Helen Keller. Helen Keller was an author, lecturer, and crusader for the handicapped. Born inTuscumbia, Alabama, She lost her sight and hearing at the age of nineteen months to an illness now believed to have been scarlet fever. Five years later, on the advice of Alexander Graham, her parents applied to the Perkins Institute for the Blind in Boston for a teacher, and from that school hired Anne Mansfield Sullivan. Through Sullivan’s extraordinary instruction, the little girl learned to understand and communicate with the world around her. She went on to acquire an excellent education and to become an important influence on the treatment of the blind and deaf.

I think of Helen Keller – if there is a person who understands making life a daring adventure, it is she. Sometimes when I walking I try to close my eyes to experience the absolute trust of not seeing where I’m going. I try to imagine myself cut off from the world in sight and sound. I can learn from Helen’s choice to jump in, to expose herself in order to experience, to make life a daring adventure.

Let’s take relationships, for instance. The risk of challenges in partnerships keeps so many away from commitment – more so, if they have experienced a “failed” relationship in the past. The problem lies with judgmental labels. Once we realise that we do not ever fail we are able to view everything we do from a healthier perspective. The risk of commitment also comes along with the possible reward of everlasting companionship, which each of us craves for and cherishes.

I believe without the thrill of taking some risks, life would be dull and dreary and with very little excitement. Everyone needs to take risks in their lives, some may be good and others may be bad. Good judgment is a guide that I strive to apply in my daily activities.

WHAT ARE YOU SCARED OF RISKING? Is it your business that is facing challenges right now? If so, each day is probably very stressful, but don’t let this stop you. You need to stay focused and work to overcome each challenge as it arises.