Quote

I got part of this in email (I get odd emails sometimes (in fact there's one I've kept almost two years now... got it from person I never get to know very well, but it was so beautiful I just had to save it...) and I googled a bit...

"There is a risk involved in everything. Every time you share a smile; every time you shed a tear, you are opening yourself up for hurt. Some people tread slowly through life avoiding the closeness risk brings; side stepping the things they cannot understand, turning away from those who care too much, those who care too long, those who hold too tightly.

There is never an easy way to love. You cannot approach it cautiously. It will not wait for you to arm yourself; it does not care if you turn away. It is everywhere, it is everything. Love is the greatest of all risks. It is not reliable, it is not cautious, it is not sympathetic. It is unprejudiced and unmerciful. It strikes the strongest of minds in one blow.

Even in the best of times love hurts. It hurts to need; it hurts to belong; it hurts to become the other part of someone without either of yours consent. But from the moment it overtakes you, it hurts worst of all to be alone. The risk of love never depletes. It grows stronger and more dangerous with time; but it is in this total surrender of all defense that we, no matter weak or strong, no matter willing or captive - no matter what - that we truly experience love.

Despite the many things that love is not, outweighing it all are the things that love is. Love is surrender without loss. It is a gift without the cost. It consumes your every thought and your every desire. It is the fuel that urges you to do more than pass through life. It urges you to love. No matter the outcome, having felt love you will never feel the same. It may scar your heart and soul and leave you only memories of yesterday or it may cause every day of your life to feel like there is no need for tomorrow. But love is worth it. It is worth the risk. For all in life, it is the on risk worth taking."