One does not discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of the shore for a very long time. (Andre Gide)

Life is full of risks. When you cross the street, you run the risk of a vehicle striking you. The risk can vary. One street is more dangerous than the other, and a city more dangerous than a village. If you are boating, it is more likely that you will be struck by a meteorite than by a car.

Risk taking behaviour causes problems for psychologists. The need for safety is fundamental, so why take risks?

There are risks involved in any dental procedure, whether it is performed in your home town or on the other side of the world. Follow your gut feeling, which should be pointed at confidence, and not just at price differences.

There is a story about a monastery in Bulgaria perched high on a cliff several hundred feet in the air. The only way to reach the monastery was to be suspended in a basket which was pulled to the top by several monks who pulled and tugged with all their strength. Obviously the ride up the steep cliff in that basket was terrifying. One tourist got exceedingly nervous about half-way up as he noticed that the rope by which he was suspended was old and frayed. With a trembling voice he asked the monk who was riding with him in the basket how often they changed the rope. The monk thought for a moment and answered brusquely, "Whenever it breaks."