Grace H.
Photography by Natalie Bell
If you’re reading this, take risks.
Initially, I thought about starting this letter with— if you’re reading this don’t be afraid to take risks, but that’s not my message. My message is that it’s okay to take risks even if you’re afraid. If there’s one thing I want you to take away from this letter, it’s this: you don’t need to have all of the pieces in place to take a leap of faith.
For the majority of my life, I’ve been someone who likes to thoroughly analyze things before diving in. I prefer observing, researching, or watching before participating. This tendency comes from fears of failure, rejection, and unfavorable outcomes. Being more reserved in my actions is a strength and a weakness. It allows me to be confident in my decisions but sometimes miss out on opportunities due to the fear of failure.
As I’ve grown older, I’ve realized that failure is an inevitable part of life. A popular quote I resonate with is, “If you’re not failing, you’re not trying.” I’ve learned that taking the safe, easy, or pre-paved route leads to discontentment. I’ve experienced firsthand that facing failure and picking yourself back up only makes you stronger. In this letter, I’ll share a few risks I’ve taken, hoping that you’ll see more good than bad comes from these leaps of faith.
After my freshman year of high school, I chose to leave my friends, family, town, and teachers to attend Blair Academy, a boarding school. The impact Blair had on me is immeasurable and I’m incredibly grateful for the experience. I pushed my boundaries further by participating in our Chapel talk series, where I shared with the school my story of overcoming the challenges that led me to transfer. I risked vulnerability, but in doing so I helped others find comfort in sharing their stories.
Following high school, I committed to rowing at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. However, things aren’t always as they seem, so after my fall semester, I went home to New Jersey and finished the year out by taking online classes. After completing my freshman year, I transferred, yet again, but this time to the SMU rowing team. Just as I found stability within SMU my life flipped upside down. I was diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), forcing me to leave the rowing team. I couldn’t imagine life without rowing but I needed to put my health first. This was a difficult jump to take, but in this adversity, I’ve found other groups like the Water Ski Team at SMU to bring that team-like environment I missed the most.
The last risk I’ll share is applying for a job I felt unsure of. It wasn’t a matter of metrics like grades or experience but a matter of personality fit. The job I applied for required someone outgoing, personable, and well-connected—qualities I sometimes struggle with due to my introverted tendencies. Despite my reservations, I explained that I can be extroverted when I need to and highlighted my work ethic and leadership abilities throughout the lengthy application and interview process. Receiving the job offer boosted my confidence and determination, proving that taking risks, even when uncertain, can lead to success.
All of the risks I’ve shared have, in the end, worked out for the better. Trust me when I say that there were plenty that didn’t go as planned. As I mentioned earlier, failure is a part of the process and it doesn’t mean you can’t bounce back and try something new.
Embracing risks has taught me three lessons: first, it’s okay to be scared while doing it; second, you don’t need to have all of the answers to begin; and third, everything works out in the end, and if it’s not okay, then it’s not the end. Call these risks, course corrections, detours, jumps–whatever you like–but know this: it’s perfectly fine to not have all the pieces together. If you’re reading this, remember, it’s okay to take that leap, even if you’re scared!
Grace H., Southern Methodist University
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