“Risk” is not a word most of us relish. It’s so much easier to hold back, hold off, shut down, shut it in, stay silent, procrastinate, not speak our minds, not defend our beliefs, not “chance it,” not take the risk. Especially in relationships, risk taking can be extraordinarily terrifying. Depending on the relationship, there may be real emotional and even physical dangers involved. How does one determine when one should be taking a risk for love (even if it is terrifying) and when to hold back (even if the “promised rewards” are great)? Yet, we must risk. The alternative is too damaging, as stated so well by C.S. Lewis: “To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.”