Well said, Journey.
I've only ever taken one huge risk in my life, which I've spoken of on this forum, but for the sake of the topic I'll go into a little better detail. When I was 17, I married a guy who was 10 years older than me that I'd only been with for 4 months and moved 600 miles away from my parents to his hometown. It was one of the biggest things I've ever done. When we met, sparks absolutely flew and I felt like nothing could hurt me in the world when he was nearby. He took care of me like no guy ever had emotionally, physically and financially. He had the purest heart I'd ever seen in someone, which only drew me in more. We joked about marriage quite often in our short-term dating phase, and one day he informed me that he had to leave for a month, he had to go back home for a job.
I, of course, was crushed. My home life wasn't ideal whatsoever, as is usually the case, unfortunately, and I didn't want him to leave me. But he had to, so I let him go. We talked on the phone every single night, and I yearned to see him almost worse than I'd ever yearned for someone before. Eventually he returned one evening at midnight. He knocked on the door and I ran to greet him, he said "You are so beautiful, I cannot believe you're my girlfriend," and proposed right then and there. I said yes, of course. Three days later we were married at the courthouse with my parent's consent. We were married alongside three other couples and my sister and parents watched.
That night, I packed all I owned into a suitcase and we got in the car and drove to Ohio. This was the most exciting thing I'd ever done, I was enjoying myself immensely. I was also enjoying the idea of being free from my parents, being able to do what I wanted whenever I wanted. I hadn't even thought of what I'd do with my life, as I dropped out of school to do this. That is where the consequence comes in. It's now been two years since I got married. We're still very happy, but I still find myself questioning what my life would be like had I not done it. I wouldn't undo a single thing, though. I'm working on my future, now. Going to school while Jeremiah works.
To wrap this all up, this was the biggest jump I ever took. I do not regret it whatsoever and would happily do it again if given the chance. I have become the person I am because of it, and I am mature beyond my years because of it. I have unhappy moments, moments where I swear I'd do anything to be on the next bus out of here, but I always come to my senses and realize that this is the best thing that's ever happened to me, and that there's nothing better waiting back home for me.
Risk is healthy, risk is fun. Certain risk is not. Taking a risk when you're absolutely emotionally wacky is a terrible idea. Think ahead like I didn't. It may have worked out for me, but I swear, it's because of my fantastic luck, nothing else.
Woo, long post. My bad.