C...C....C...Courage

A few times in my life, I’ve taken big risks and the results were both world-changing and emotion charged. After the fact, I have never regretted having taken those risks.

But as I get older, I find the notion of change and the spectre of dealing with intense emotion more frightening.

Over the past 5 years with my day job, I have run into numerous roadblocks where the at least one of the options for getting past them (usually the most exciting option) involved taking significant risk. I have backed away from those – and in almost every case, the result was a perpetuation of the status quo – but with a bit less pizzazz and enthusiasm. Looking back, I have regretted my lack of courage in every one of those instances.

I ask myself why am I so risk averse now? Middle age is the perfect time to walk the tightrope across the falls. My life expectancy is relatively short - and with the diminishing relevance that inevitably accompanies old age – my life expectancy as a contributing member of society is probably measurable on a good daytimer.

So rather than trying to keep my world at a comfy 27 degrees until I die choking on the styrofoam peanuts of my soul I should jump into the abyss. Chances are it only comes up to my knees – and even if it’s much deeper – the option of going out with my heart pumping and a scream of exhilaration on my lips is much more appealing than the slowly sinking and choking option.

The time for playing it safe is over.
I write literature of the fantastic. My short story collection, Psychedelia Gothique is mostly psychological horror. My just released novel, The Human Template is available through most online book retailers - and book two of the diptych, The Carnivorous Forest will appear in 2021. https://www.dalelsproule.com As a book reviewer I have written for Rue Morgue Magazine and AE Science Fiction. As a visual artist, I have illustrated books and magazines and have carved numerous sculptures out of stone.

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