The stirring of her great adventures
Ricochets
Against the voices in her head
Telling her to be safe
And make good choices,
As if the safe choices
Are always the best choices
For her free spirit
To soar
©Ashley Castle Barnes
I have teenagers and every time they go out the door I remind them to “be safe and make good choices.”
But even as I necessarily say that, I’m reminded that while I want safety and good choices for them, I also want them to try things and take some risks.
I want them to make mistakes and learn from them.
I want them to be realistic but also not to be afraid to live and to soar and to seek out adventures.
And I realize that there’s a fine balance between aiming to keep someone safe and inadvertently encouraging them not to try life.
Especially when they’re young.
I think about how much of my life has been filled with safe and appropriate choices.
I’ve had a great life so far, but also I wish I’d taken more risks and had more adventures.
Of course it’s better late than never!
What risks are you taking today?