I don’t remember the first time I heard this phrase, but it has long been a favorite of mine. Out of curiosity, I wanted to know the origins of the phrase “nothing ventured, nothing gained,” so I went exploring online. According to Gary Martin of the Phrase Finder website (2024), it probably has its origins in a 14th century French phrase that translates to, “He who never undertook anything never achieved anything.” In my own vernacular, I would say, “If I don’t put in the effort, then I can’t possibly achieve anything.”
This is the attitude I adopted when I struck out on a new career path to do the one thing I always wanted to do and the one thing I felt called to do. I decided to write. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. If I don’t try the career choice at all, I can’t hope to gain anything from it. Even if I fail, I will have gained a lot of valuable knowledge and experience. Most importantly, I know, if I don’t try at all, I will just continue to regret doing things others expect instead of doing something I have long wanted to do.
This phrase has even become advice that I intend as the equivalent of, “Why not go ahead and try something?” I don’t want other people to have some of the same regrets I have, but I also understand people must decide what to do for themselves as they live with the outcomes. I don’t get upset if someone decides not to take my advice. It takes a lot of courage to step out and do something new, and many times, they just can’t take the risk. Responsibilities are understandable reasons for not taking the risk, and I will not criticize someone who makes this kind of sacrifice for others.
However, for some of us, it is easy to get comfortable with repetition. I had reached a personal point where I was going to crack if I didn’t strike out and try something new. If I didn’t try for the one dream I have long held, I was going to have regret that would forever shape my life in a negative way. Has it been an easy path? No. Has it been an adventure? Yes! I feel like a hobbit striking out on a mysterious path to do amazing things. Each week, I learn something new about this path, and I learn from every success and failure. I have seen evidence of nothing ventured, nothing gained.
If it’s possible, give yourself an opportunity to try something new just to see what happens. If it makes you more comfortable, start small and work up to larger things. Let’s do away with regret and find a way to try what we’ve always felt we should do. Go ahead and give it a go and learn from the outcome.
Reference:
Martin, Gary. (2024). “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.” Phrase Finder. https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/nothing-ventured-nothing-gained.html
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Inspirational Verse for the Day:
Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert. (Isaiah 43:19, CSB)
All Things Subject to Change 