In Jim McCormick's article, "Breaking Through Uncertainty", Jim shares his exhilarating experience of surviving a skydiving accident. On the other hand, Sally in Lien Chao's story, "Neighbours", is a single Chinese mother who is adjusting to her new life in Canada. Although both characters undergo their own frightening risks, Jim gains a greater benefit than Sally due to him taking a more life-threatening risk.
Jim and Sally both directly deal with their risk in order to receive a greater benefit. For instance, when Jim is confronted with a tangled parachute while free falling, he believes it is essential to "acknowledge the problem" and use successful past methods rather than doubt his own abilities (McCormick 10). Instead of panicking after failing to untangle the lines, Jim relies on his "fifteen years of training and practice" and calmly defuses the hazardous situation by effectively initiating his reserve parachute (McCormick 11). As a result, Jim transforms his life-threatening situation into a wonderful experience which proves paramount to his confidence. Similarly, Sally demonstrates her direct approach towards risks through immigrating to a foreign country after her nasty divorce. Although "[she] is not a Canadian", Sally "hopes one day she will be" and decides to try adjusting to her new environment by attending a Canada Day concert (Chao 1). Soon, she is invited by an old couple to watch the fireworks event on their roof and Sally nervously accepts (Chao 5). Sally hopes the couple is able to give her advice as well and help her adjust to her new home despite the fact that they are complete strangers.
Furthermore, although both Jim and Sally benefit from their risks, Jim has a greater benefit due to the severity and uniqueness of his situation. After surviving a terrifying skydiving mishap, Jim is granted the privilege of triumphantly facing "the dragon" which is a life-defining challenge people seldom get the opportunity to face (McCormick 18). Jim defeats his self-doubt upon successfully deploying his reserve chute and is rewarded with a renewed confidence in his abilities as a skydiver. On the other hand, Sally's risk is more personal and pales in comparison to Jim's life-threatening risk. Sally reveals her marital status to the old couple after they mention their negative view towards single moms like Sally (Chao 41). Nevertheless, Sally does become good friends with the old couple who give her "big hugs and kisses on the cheeks" before Sally departs (Chao 44). As a result, Sally feels more connected to her new community and neighbors and walks down her street with a new sense of familiarity.