Today I got the ham sandwich.

I was taking a survey this afternoon on my overall college experience thus far, and I was just roaring through with my opinions on how successful have I been with making friends, (What kind of college survey question is that?! If I put "unsuccessful" just how do they plan on changing that? Stick me on eHarmony to find college friends?) and how much do I love my school, yada yada. I usually stayed in my safe, indecisive zone of "somewhat" for every single question. Then, in the middle of nowhere, it asks: How often have you taken a risk because you felt you had more to gain?

WHAT?

Amidst the cafeteria ratings and scales of how much faculty members care, they hit you with this. This huge, life thing that you have to answer with "somewhat often, always, never." I sat and stared at this bomb for awhile, mainly because it made me think hard. And I didn't really like my answer. I got a little intimidated and a little pompous and went for the "always." But may I just say, I think I lied.

There's no way on earth I "always" choose the risk. I'm one of the lamest, not-a-risk-taker there is. Why? I like the safe side. I get the peanut butter and jelly sandwich every day of my life because I know that's what I like. I don't try the others cause it could be disgusting. But you know what? Life like that gets boring. And this dumb, stupid, survey reminded me of the whys of taking risk. The reason is because you have more to gain than to lose. Yeah, it's gonna get uncomfortable, and you could possibly lose. Possibly. But you could also possibly gain. And gaining is good :)

So today I stared at my options for lunch and lo and behold, I didn't get a PB and J.  I went for the ham sandwich. And you know what?? It wasn't bad at all! So, all this to say, go risk. I don't think you can use the word like that, but I'm going to anyway. Take a risk on something good (not like physically dangerous, that's just dumb). But maybe do something out of the ordinary safe zone in hopes of the good that can come from it. Big or small, you gotta start somewhere...like maybe even with a ham sandwich ;)