Great piece, Aaron. I never really had that youthful untempered zeal as I was always serious about life and risk taking frightened me - so I avoided it. Some would say I was born 40. But over the years I've put more of myself "out there" and although my physical risk taking has been low, I have grown from who I've become as I matured and risking the response of others when I've done that in an idea, belief, and value-laden sense.
You've confirmed what I thought privately- that I need to write about this. Thanks.