Often we stop ourselves far from the limits of what is achievable. Our fear of losing it all at the end of an effort keeps us from running altogether. Sometimes the fears are legitimate but often times not.
Each serious endeavor requires one to give it their all to achieve something that is accessible at the end of the tunnel. It is a risk and a gamble, but if we think about losing it even before we begin, we create invisible shackles to our minds and souls. It is in fact the fears that we have and the things that we've left behind that allow us for that extra push needed to achieve bigger things.
Like a fish that grows in a small bowl needs to put its life on the line, even if for a few moments, to reach a bigger bowl.