Fundamental to the nature of risk is danger—to self and to others.

Risk means exposing one’s self and others to danger. Hopefully, one takes daily risk for gain–in experience or material reward.

However, risk always includes some potential for actual disaster and tragedy. When events turn tragic, and sooner or later they will, they will do so costing those things not expected or even considered. In most cases, this is a catastrophe that one cannot have prepared for—materially, psychologically, or spiritually, and the soul pays the price. For the unprepared, inexperienced, and the reckless risk is a terrible teacher.

It is important  to understand each one of us is responsible for the outcome of the risks we take—regardless of how they manifest. The particular difficulty, especially when others are included, is the need both anticipate and to be consciously responsible for unforeseen outcomes. When tragedy strikes, the desire is to look for reasons, excuses, or some way to avoid culpability. The truth of the matter, however, is that when you take risk and it goes awry, it is on you—no matter who else is involved. This is particularly true when one risks others.

The one most devastating outcomes of great risk is success, for success breed’s contempt for the tragic. All successful risks come with a hidden trap, “It worked this time…” The world is full of devastation and grief from those who were successful in the past.

So, should risks never be taken? Of course not, risk brings the important lessons that are the foundation of wisdom. Lessons learned, however, are not wisdom. In the old stories, the wise old man waiting at the edge of the village for the returning young hero knows things that the hero cannot. When the returning hero meets with the wise man, a filtering process begins. An alchemical distillation occurs turning the heroic gifts into something beneficial for the people. Yet, It is here that the greatest trap lies in wait—if the wise man is not there, or is seduced by the glamor of the hero trying to emulate him or her, then this important alchemical process is neglected or avoided and a kind of toxicity may be allowed into the community and infect the people. Tragically often this toxicity goes unnoticed and is disastrous in most uncommon ways.

So, take risks with care. There are gifts to be found, but tragedy as well.