The other day, Aidamarie made an observation about our respective personalities: She will occasionally take a risk, while I am risk-aversive at all costs.

No, you will never see me bungee jump, rock climb, skydive or endeavor in a spelunking expedition. I agree, in most situations I will make the choice that is less risky. Robert Frost's famous poem, "The Road Not Taken," concludes with the thought of how beneficial it was (to the writer) to take the road less traveled. This traveler, however, has almost always journeyed on the beaten path.

Like many people, the fear of failure and embarrassment – or death, in the case of skydiving – has made me reticent to leave my happy confines. This month, though, I ventured out of my comfort zone, not once, but twice.

I remember my parents owned a copy of "The Book of Lists," first released in 1977. It was an assortment of lists compiled through extensive surveys. One of the categories was a list of the 14 greatest human fears. Number one on the list: Speaking before a group. Surprisingly, at least to me, death was number seven on the list.