I've thought much about this over the years - even the exact things they were talking about in the article. It all resonates with me, and I certainly am a "risk taker". It adds so much more to my life. Basically this:

Your ego may be bruised. Or your elbow. But with self-forgiveness, you often emerge on the other side of the failure process an even stronger, wiser, more compassionate person who is more determined than ever before to try new things.

You’re alive. You’re aware of every moment and how precious it is. And sooner or later, you’ll get into the flow. Not by controlling everything, but rather by allowing yourself to be naturally with things as they are.

That's good. Sometimes the hardest person to forgive is yourself.

besides, a bruised ego is good for you!

How?

it brings humility.

Seems like there should be better ways to get humility than a bruised ego.

Then again, classic literature says I'm wrong.

egos get in the way a lot.  it's good to give them a good swat every now and then!

Sounds like the makings of a fine children's story: Emily and the Ego.

an ego that needs a spanking!!

"Emily Spanking the Ego" does not sound like a fine children's story. 

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!  oh i wish i could heart that comment a hundred times!

:D

Jump in and give things a try. Take a risk.

Whether that be a new business or romance or just an unfamiliar food. Give it a shot.

If you fail, so be it. Feel humiliated when your start-up doesn’t get enough funding to survive the first year. Sink into despair when your relationships falls apart and you find yourself single again.

Research shows that feeling positive emotions all the time isn’t necessarily a good thing, anyway. Anger, for example, can help motivate us.

As Woody Allen once said, “If you’re not failing every now and again, it’s a sign you’re not doing anything very innovative.”

i also think there is great value in sinking into despair and humiliation.  go ahead and feel these things.  they hurt like hell, but it all makes for a great story in the end.

I don't know why our instinct is to avoid feeling, because you're right, that's where great stories one from.

You can't game your life to avoid suffering, but you can learn to make decisions that lead to more happy outcomes.    

yes.  like my cooking.

You make cooking decisions to lead to more happy outcomes and less suffering?

yes, because i've failed so much, now i know what i can do that brings happiness to those eating my food—specifically, my children.

believe me: there has been plenty of suffering!

Any specific cooking learnings you can share?

the hits are the hits for a reason.  creativity comes later, when you know all the hits!

i'd say the best thing to learn how to cook well is eggs.

What's the best way to cook eggs?

it's all about the temperature of the pan.  (not too hot.)  and bacon grease.

but oh how my family would laugh if they knew i was giving cooking tips!!!

Still better than me. I only cook cold cereal. 

PandaWhale = Six Degrees of Bacon

You mean degrees...

...or bacon?

Mmmm... Bacon...

Okay, now I'm LOST. 

adam, cold cereal is one of my greatest hits!  and when i ran out of milk and discovered it could be done with half and half, it was a paradigm shift: "oh my god—granola can taste like THIS?!?!!"  that was when i started getting more creative in the kitchen.  :)

Oh good. At least I'm starting with a good foundation. :)

YES!!!

Another reference to the wisdom of surfing :-)

Oh, and yes taking risks is awesome!!

I wonder if a surfer wrote this.

Risk by Author Unknown 

To laugh is to risk appearing the fool 
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental 
To reach out for another is to risk involvement 
To expose feelings is to risk exposing your true self 
To place your ideas, your dreams before the crowd is to risk their loss 
To love is to risk not being loved in return 
To live is to risk dying 
To hope is to risk despair 
To try is to risk failure 

But risks must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing 

The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing and is nothing 

They may avoid suffering and sorrow, but they cannot learn, feel, change, grow, love, live 

Chained by their certitude’s, they are a slave, they have forfeited their freedom 

Only a person who risks is free.