Correr riesgos

Take Risks 

Pobre del que tiene miedo de correr riesgos. 

[Claro], vamos a sufrir, vamos a tener momentos difíciles, vamos a afrontar muchas desilusiones, ... [pero] en el futuro podemos mirar hacia atrás con orgullo y fe. -- Paulo Coelho

Yesterday I woke feeling low; my longterm dreams seemed unreachable and my short-term dreams worth little. What was I doing anyway? Why learn Spanish, why live here? ... 

So, I chose to face my fears and do things that involved a risk, at the least discomfort perhaps, or disappointment.  

Physically: 

I braved the busy highway and biked over the steep hill to Cuastecomate and back. The sleepy tiny fishing village was peaceful and the ride was difficult. I had to get off and push at times, but I felt very pleased. 


I found and went to a yoga class. 

Mentally: 

I read a rather difficult legend in a book a student lent me of Mexican legends. I read the story in Spanish without a dictionary. I felt very successful. 

Socially: 

I enjoyed a leisurely chat on Skype to phone with my mom and chatted with an acquaintance (friend) in the central town square. I sat at a bar stool type of table in the street in front of a cafe and watched people and read out loud in Spanish (too much street noise for anyone to pay attention), and sipped on my lovely espresso largo con créma. 




For Fun: 

I watched 4 episodes of new Spanish Netflix series, Always a Witch (Siempre una bruja). 

I drew. 



In the end (Al fin), I went to bed and my morning questions simply did not ask themselves. Taking risks, and doing what was new, was a grand way to indirectly answer the questions.

Translation 

It is a poor person whose fears prevent him or her from taking risks. We will suffer, have times of difficulty, face disappointments, but in the future we will look back with a sense of pride, and with faith.