No fear of risk

The amount of risk measures the likelihood of an unwanted or negative outcome of a certain situation or event to happen. What are the odds that I get hit by a car when I cross the street? What are the odds that I will fail a certain exam? There is a difference between low and high risks. An example of low risk is the chance of been hit by lightning. High risk or higher risk events could be the chance of getting the flue or having a car accident. As well as high or low you can define risk as long or short term risk. The examples used so far where short term risks. If we speak of a long term risk you could think about the risk of humanity running out of drinking water or a country not able to pay its depts.

For most people, risk is something negative or at least it is nothing positive. Often fear is associated with risk depending on the probability of the event. Another factor is people’s  personalities. Some do not want to take any risk at all because they are scared or they just want to make sure that nothing goes wrong.  Other people just love risk. They like the kick an uncertain or unsafe situation gives them.

I personally encounter risk often in my free time during rock climbing. Indoor but especially outdoor climbing is full of risk. Risk of falling what can lead to injury or in extreme situations even to death. Fear in rock climbing is very useful. Not in the way that it stops you from trying dangerous things. But that it makes you aware of the risk. If you feel fear you know that you have to give your best. Feeling fear should not be sign of losing control or be a result of it. It should not paralyze you but enhance your skills in order to master difficult situations. For me it is the same with risk. I do not fear it. Facing a risk just tells me to make sure I do not make an easy mistake. Risk even pushes me and gives me a sort motivation. That is what risk and fear should be about. Because risk is nothing negative at all.