A Lesson in Falling from an Expert

I fell down in front of a set of elevators, in a dress and heels, with my colleagues watching. Boom! Flat on my face. It hurt in more ways than one. I am short, so I don’t have far to fall. But. That evening, I fell from a great height.

Let me explain.

I was attending a conference for principals from my state, a cherished once a year event where we reconnect and learn together. Not only was I attending, but for the first time I did a presentation myself. I prepared for months, practiced the presentation several times, and it went well. My presentation was earlier that same day and it was so much fun. In fact, I was still riding that high when I fell.

Colleagues were telling me that they were reading my blog and finding it inspiring. I was riding that high too.

So, when my friends told me it was time to head up the elevators to dinner, I finished my conversation and followed behind them. I was doing an exaggerated “run” to be silly as I tried to make it onto the elevator before the doors closed. I got there just in time. They were standing there, watching me approach. Watching me fall.

There were many other principals from across the state standing there too. Watching me fall.

I did what I always do in these situations. I got up. I brushed myself off. I laughed and tried to think of something witty to say. My words failed me as a friend helped me up. My knees hurt for weeks after falling on the hard marble floor.

Falling is one of the most important things we do. It humbles us. It teaches us. It brings us back to center and allows us an opportunity to reconnect with what is most important.

That is, if we let it.

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