WHY is taking a risk so hard that most of the time, people are so afraid of it and find it difficult to do?

     It's an unending question of what ifs and could’ve been, full of uncertainties, whether it's worth it or not. Believe me, it’s always the phrase “take the risk or lose the chance,” a phrase my friends associate with my name. I often tell them this when they’re having a hard time choosing what to do in certain decisions. 

     Nowadays, taking a risk becomes scary, maybe because things might change and won’t go your way or maybe because you're scared of the outcome itself. Some of us are really scared to face reality.

     But come to think of the “what could've been” when you give it a chance. How do you cope with this? Be bold. Take action without hesitation. Being brave and a risk-taker doesn't mean that you will always win. There are times you’ll lose, and a lot of times you’ll be scared, just like me. 

     To be a part of THE BEDAN HERALD, a student publication, has always been a dream of mine since I was a kid. I would scan through the magazines and read every article, wishing one day my name would appear under one of them. However, when the application forms were opened in Volume 29, I was hesitant to apply since I had no background in journalism. I worried about not being accepted. And where am I today? The Website Manager whose job is to post and give you a wholesome experience through our website and also sharing this opinion with you, showing that being scared can blind you to the opportunities you might receive.

     When I first set foot on the field to play, it was a new experience. As a kid who was always into art and journaling, sports weren't really my thing, unlike my brother, who tried every sport. But watching him play made me feel a spark of interest; I wanted to kick the ball and score a goal. However, I was scared and saw it as just fun rather than something serious. As I  grew up, watching female players on the field made me think, "I could do that too." Despite doubts from friends and family about the sacrifices involved — exposing my skin to the sun heat and my face to the dirt, brushing those off,  I decided to take the risk of joining the team. I played with no knowledge at first, but I learned and am still learning. 

     I could say that these risks can be worth anything, and they have almost changed my life. Who would have thought that the kid who was once afraid would become the team captain while she was in 12th grade? I don't know what my life would be like if I hadn't taken that risk, but it was worth it in the end.

     If you’re afraid of bravely taking risks, how will you know what’s best for you? It takes a lot of courage to pursue your dreams. Failure is a part of it. But hey, doesn’t it shape the story well? You win some, and you lose some—that’s life. Failure will shape you. It doesn't mean if you fail, you're done. No. Take the failure, learn from it, stand up, and do something about it.

     Think about it. If you risked what you've been wanting but were just scared of the result, how different would your life be now? You have to take chances in life so you’ll see and learn what’s best for you. As they say, “Not taking risks is the biggest risk of all” because, in today’s life, no risk is the regret for opportunities.

     You write your own story, so you decide what makes it great. Within risks, some errors shape your story into something uniquely yours.

     If you ask me, does fortune really favor the brave? I would say opportunities do favor the brave. You need to be courageous and strong in life. I hope you find courage within yourself, maybe not now, eventually. Take that risk.

     After all, if not now, when?