A young girl, clad from head to toe in flowered floaties, waddles down the steaming sidewalk to the deep end of the pool, eager to play with the ‘big kids’, but not sure if ready to jump into the “deep beyond”. But, alas, the shouts of bliss lure her curious mind, diving in with soon-to-be besties and starting a new chapter in her life. Similar to the girl, people must be willing to take chances because, it can both build and enhance relationships and it is the way we learn.
Life isn’t like Facebook where one can ‘bravely’ sit behind a computer and send potential friends requests or sub tweet about their crush on Twitter. Instead, people have got to be able to take risks and reach out,strengthening and creating bonds. For example, the new girl, baring a deer-in-the-headlights look, dares not to say a word, adding to the proliferating “What ifs?”, until a kind soul smiles, giving her the chance to talk. Weeks later, the girls are attached at the hip and promptly named Bffls. Now who really took the risk here is debatable, but nevertheless, a risk was taken, caution thrown to the wind, and an inseparable friendship formed. Though such a simple notion was taken in the end, it meant the world. Both girls could have stayed ‘content’ in their individual worlds, fearing rejection, but didn’t and instead built a relationship. In addition, consider the song “Don’t Take the Girl”, a heart-warming tale of a young boy who would rather have anyone in the world tag along than a silly girl. However, finally, with a huff, takes the initial risk and lets her go. Years pass and the bond grows, taking more and more risks each verse: kissing her in the movies, saving her from a robber, and finally offering his own life to God in place of hers. This progression of risks ending greatly strengthening the relationship.
If everyone were to sit in their own little bubbles, never even attempting to test to waters of discomfort, nothing would ever be accomplished or learned. To illustrate, in Shaw’s “Pygmalion”, Eliza takes the risk of being under Higgins’ consistent criticism, but had she stayed as a mere flower girl, would have never have reached her full potential and stayed an ignorant peasant. Instead, she beats all odds and accomplished more than ever expected of her by the ultimate sacrifice of her own life in order to become a lady of status.
The summer winds have long shifted, but the now-aged women remembers that day,reminiscing with her friends over a cup of black coffee. Then, she turns the page in the memory book, smiling, “If that summer taught me anything, it would be take risk! Make mistakes; dive in.”