The illusion of risk-free living

I've been impressed lately how often we have a goal of living risk free lives. We don't use those exact words, but use terms like "financial security", "high yield", "good prospect", and "passenger protection system". We build wealth, pad retirement funds, get good health insurance, buy "safer" cars, and many other things to help us move through and exit life with as few hiccups and bumps as we can. 

This isn't some kind of rant against the "evils of wealth", I wouldn't mind being in a position where I had the "discretionary income" I've read about. It's just that too often I think we live acutely tuned into the dangers that surround us and try to find ways to shield ourselves from those things that might upset our status quo or worse, leave us damaged or less well off. 

With few exceptions I lived most of my life in a risk-averse posture; making smart decisions, being safe, doing the expected thing. Although I might have sometimes worn the facade of a rebel and risk-taker, these were the things that really marked my life.  No skydiving, running full-out, and taking things to the edge of the envelope - I was stable, predictable, prudent, conservative and very, very vanilla in my convictions. The problem with that kind of living was that it never let me explore what else life might have to offer. 

Today I've found myself musing on Thoreau's reflection that "The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation". I find myself very saddened by the number of my friends and acquaintances that have bought into the illusions of this world that avoiding discomfort is the goal. I wonder if avoiding discomfort is actually the greater risk because it places us in a position that prevent attaining the greater gains. Perhaps the thing that feels like a coccoon of security may actually be an air-tight body bag.

Today I'm choosing to live life in pursuit of the greater gain and turn a deaf ear to the siren song of security and the klaxon's of impending doom. Today I'm going to step out on the ragged edge and trust my fate to someone bigger than me.