We all have dreams. Maybe you want to race cars. Maybe, like new Oscar winner and former stripper Diablo Cody, you want to become a writer. Maybe, like certain PopFi bloggers (me), you want to quit your day job and write full time from the comfort of your parents’ basement. I don’t know what you want to do. I’m not even sure I know what I want to do! However, I can tell you the only way to achieve a big goal is to risk something. Risk, in spite of all you’ve heard, is actually a good thing.

Of course, I’d like to say that taking risks has positive health benefits, but I don’t know if that is the case in every situation. I can tell you, from personal experience, that finding a way to make a little money doing something you live is always good for the mental health. Even hobbies are good for you, if only because they relax you, take away the stress we all carry from day to day, and gives you something to be proud of outside of the cubicle. Since I’ve figured out a way to do stuff outside of my employment that I like, I’m definitely a much happier, healthier person.

Of course, I’m still suffering from a bit of risk-phobia. I think a fear of failure is what stops everyone from just swinging for the fences and giving their ultimate goals a shot. I mean, anyone can shuffle papers around a desk or ride around in a garbage truck, but not everyone can become a prizefighter or a matador. One of the reasons that I think people don’t go after their hopes is because if they fail, that means they won’t be able to say, “Hey, I’m better than this job. I’ve got talent! I can do whatever I want!”

Maybe you can’t write the great American novel, but you sure won’t figure out what your true calling is by sitting around and watching TV. You might not hit the dream you thought you had, but you might find something you like even better. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!

Tags: risks, dreams, goals, achievements, risk/reward

When it comes to the Boston Celtics, there are some big names you think about.  Larry Bird, Bill Russell, Bob Cousey, Robert Parrish… they’re all NBA legends.  Now there’s another name you can add to that list:  Paul Pierce.  If you don’t think Pierce is a Celtics legend, just look at his career.  More importantly, [...]

In 2008, the people of California went to the polls and passed a statewide constitutional amendment that banned gay marriage.  Well now, according to the judges at the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, that constitutional amendment is unconstitutional.  Judges overturned Proposition 8, California’s ban on gay marriage, on grounds that it was discriminatory according [...]

Every year, one of the most-watched programs is the final game of the NFL season.  The Super Bowl is a great excuse for parties, gathering with friends, eating and drinking too much, and generally squeezing in a non-holiday holiday in the middle of the worst month of the year.  There’s a reason networks spend billions [...]

On February 6, 1952, Queen Elizabeth II became the monarch of Great Britain upon the death of her father, George VI.  This year marks the 60th year of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign as Queen of England, and the Queen is going to be marking her Diamond Jubilee in characteristic low-key fashion, visiting a couple of [...]

After Susan Cox Powell disappeared in 2009, her husband Josh Powell was the first and most notable suspect in her disappearance.  In fact, he was the only suspect, though the case against him was mostly circumstantial evidence.  Still, that didn’t prevent Ms. Powell’s parents from suing for, and gaining custody of, the couple’s two small [...]

It was a Super Bowl halftime show for the ages.  In the interim between the first and second halves of what was a pretty spectacular game, Madonna took to a giant lighted video stage with a horde of shirtless Spartan attendants, cheerleaders, a choir, dancers, acrobats, a gigantic glittery flying dove, and a massive amount [...]

Divorce culture is everywhere these days.  It’s easier to get married than ever in places like Vegas, and it’s getting easier and easier to get divorced, too.  Even in very conservative cultures like deeply religious Italy, which recently had its first divorce fair, and China, where a massive new divorce culture is breaking out thanks [...]