Falling in Public

Okay, last week I was walking into a store, hit a little dip in the street and did a magnificent spiral drop and roll into the road. My keys flew about 50 feet into the air, my purse went the other direction, and my body hit the pavement in a not so graceful manner. I was extremely embarrassed! I picked myself up and continued into the store -- to realize that it was not just my pride that was injured. I spent the rest of the afternoon in the ER making sure no bones were broken, but to discover some torn ligaments, sprained back, neck and wrist.

Why is it so humiliating to fall (or fail) in public? It's a natural thing to do -- to twist ankles, fall, trip up, and make mistakes. Everyone does it. Everyone has had a time in their life when their public persona is stripped away and they are left looking up into the faces of their peers. So, why do we get so embarrassed?

I suppose it is because we want to be on our best behavior when others are looking on. Or perhaps it's the idea that we can "look" better than we really are. When our public image is stripped away and we're lying there in all our glory, maybe we fear rejection or ridicule.

Needless to say, after watching the news this week about Kelsey Grammer falling off a stage while being filmed -- I felt like I was in good company. At least my fall is not being replayed over and over again on TV. I can feel blessed about that! :-)