Daily writing prompt

When is the last time you took a risk? How did it work out?

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Hello, friends,

I hope this blog finds you happy and energetic. Life often pushes us to take risks—sometimes gently, other times dramatically.

Today’s writing prompt made me think about an important moment in my life: “When was the last time you took a risk? How did it turn out?”

A Moment of Decision

Yes, my friends, there are moments in life when we stand at a crossroads, faced with choices that carry significant risks. Sometimes, we succeed. Other times, we face setbacks and learn important lessons.

I, too, found myself at such a juncture—one that would completely alter the course of my life.

Now, working in the banking sector often involves making risky decisions—financial risks, operational risks—but those were professional and calculated.

The real challenge arises when the risk touches your personal life. That’s when things feel truly uncertain.

The Risk: Following My Creative Calling

As I peel back the layers of memory, I recall a moment from a few years ago—a deeply personal and risky decision.

It wasn’t about skydiving or launching a start-up. No. This was something deeper. It was the decision to follow my creative instincts—to paint, to write, to share my soul with the world.

And the real surprise? I made this decision to opt for voluntary retirement (before my official retirement).

About six years ago, an opportunity arose under the Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS). I was offered the chance to retire early from my bank job.

It felt like a doorway opening—but it came with risks. Financial implications were a major concern. But beyond money, I questioned: What would I do with all that time at home? Could I remain content without the routine and security I’d known for decades?

Yet, something inside me whispered, “This is your moment.”

So I took the leap.

I opted for VRS and retired two years ahead of schedule.

The Fear Before the Flight

This wasn’t an easy decision. Fear clung to me like a shadow. What if no one reads my blogs? What if I’m not good enough? What if people laugh, or worse—ignore me?

You see, I had spent my entire life in finance, not literature or art. I had no formal training, no credentials in creativity.

I was about to step into an unfamiliar world where expression, vulnerability, and authenticity are the only true guides.

But I took the plunge—and something magical began to unfold.

The Outcome: A Garden of Joy

The risk blossomed.

Strangers became readers. Readers became friends. And those friends turned into a warm, supportive community. Each comment, each encouraging message, was like a sunbeam lighting up my path.

I wrote heartfelt poems. I painted what I felt. I created short videos that expressed emotion and experience. My days no longer began with alarm clocks and rush-hour traffic—they began with inspiration and excitement.

My granddaughter began reading my poems with curiosity. Friends shared my work. Some even asked me to guide them in starting their own creative journeys.

Why It Was Worth It

This bold step taught me that it’s never too late to begin again. That age is just a number, not a limit.
That once you light the creative fire within, it spreads warmth not just in your life, but in the lives of others around you.

I didn’t become famous. I didn’t win awards. But I found something far more meaningful—fulfillment. I uncovered a version of myself that had long been buried under decades of responsibility and routine.

A Word to My Fellow Dreamers

So let me ask you—What risk are you holding back from?

Is it writing a book you’ve been dreaming of? Taking a long-delayed trip? Starting something completely new?

Take the leap.

Yes, it might feel uncertain. But uncertainty is the birthplace of growth. Not every risk leads to worldly success, but every risk teaches you something — about yourself, about life.

And sometimes, the biggest risk is not taking one at all.

I rediscover life.

So, to answer the question: The last risk I took—choosing to live creatively and passionately after early retirement—was a defining moment. It didn’t just work out. It helped me rediscover life.

And if I had to do it all over again? I’d take that risk a hundred times.

Because on the other side of fear lies freedom. And that freedom only grows sweeter with time.

Stay inspired, my friends. And maybe, just maybe, take that risk you’ve been thinking about.

Warm regards,
Vijay Verma
www.retiredkalam.com 🌿

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Tags: #Life, #Love, books, creative-writing, dailyprompt, dailyprompt-1919, featured, writing