Play it safe or take a chance ~ Z. Ziglar

At first glance this column heading seems to be contradictory, but it is absolutely true that the person who won't take a chance hasn't got a chance. For example, when you invest in the stock market, you are taking a chance. There is risk involved. But, historically speaking, if you invest sensibly and go for the long haul, your returns will be consistent and appreciably larger than you would receive from an interest-only deposit. Homeowners take a chance when they rent their home because most tenants will not take care of the home as conscientiously as the owner of the home. However, any real estate agent will tell you that it is a far greater risk to leave the home empty because it deteriorates much faster empty than it will when it is occupied. After all, homes are built to be lived in. The ship which leaves harbor runs certain risks because of currents, possible storms, or potential collision with other ships - all of which can create real hazards. However, the ship is at greater risk if it is simply idle at anchor. It will collect barnacles faster and become unseaworthy faster in the safety of the harbor than it will while sailing the high seas. And, after all, that's why ships are built. The farmer takes a huge risk when he plows the soil, plants and fertilizes the seed, and puts insecticide on the plants or trees to protect them from insects. He puts his sweat and time in the project and is at the mercy of the weather until the crop is harvested. It's risky, all right, but if he didn't take that risk, the land would provide little, if any, return, his family would suffer, and you and I would go without many of the things we take for granted. In life we undergo certain risks and if we simply play everything safe, we do not have a chance. So, take a chance and I'll SEE YOU AT THE TOP! Lisa Ekanger