Take a Chance

(An essay written by Moi, February 15, 2012.)

Take a chance! Why not? What's holding you back? What are you afraid of?
What if something unexpected happens? Why do you cringe at the word unexpected? Don't you know that 'unexpected' isn't always bad?
What if something happens, something so good that you can't even imagine the degree of happiness you will feel, if only you take the chance?
What if you miss the opportunity of a lifetime because you were too worried that something bad would happen? What's the worst thing that could happen? It can't be that bad, can it? It's not something you aren't capable of handling, is it?
Where is your faith? How is it that you spend so much time telling others to "Have a little faith," when you have none of your own? Is it fair for others when you treat them that way?
Why is it, then, that you are asking them to do something that you can not? What are you trying to prove? That not everyone is going to break your trust? That somewhere out there, there really are people who are capable of trust? Do you think, perhaps, that if you can get them to trust, you might be able to trust someone too? If they can do it, why can't you?
Why is it that you, who freely gives advice to others in their time of need, can not ask others for help in your time? Is it because you don't trust them? Don't you believe that someone might know and understand just what you're going through, and that they might have something to say that is actually worth listening to?
Must you always be so wary of people? Don't you realize how weary it makes you?
Is it fair for you to judge everyone by the mistakes of one person? Just because one person, or two, or even three people hurt you... Does this give you the right to assume everyone else will do the same thing? Don't you realized that all your cynicism has accomplished is to frustrate and drive away the people who care?
Don't you realize that the only thing keeping you from that which you so desperately want, is yourself? Why won't you allow yourself this once, to do what you want?
What are you afraid of? Is it happiness? Why would you be afraid of that? Why can't you just allow yourself to feel this?

Are you fearful that you will be happier than you ever thought you could be? But why would that frighten you? Isn't joy something you should be striving for?
I think I understand now. You're not afraid of happiness. You're afraid of what will happen when the  good feeling ends. You're worry that you will be so happy, that if something were ever to happen that would take away your joy, the pain would be unbearable. You're afraid of the pain.
But... Would you really prefer to remain as you are now, not knowing what its like to feel that and then never have to feel the pain and heartache that may follow?
Wouldn't the memories and the good things be worth suffering for? Why would you ever want to keep yourself from the one thing you desire most? Are you really so masochistic?
What are you afraid of? Why are you holding back?
Take a chance <3