Musings & Threads. What I Learned When I Fell on My Face.
What I Learned When I Fell on My Face
Seriously. I did… fall flat on my face. I won’t bore you with the details. Suffice it to say it involved a manhole cover, walking too fast, and a Brooklyn street that came up to meet me—my nose that is. Broken.
You may stop laughing now. Although I agree, it does make for a funny visual, even to me, when I am not feeling sorry for myself, as I look like a raccoon that went crazy with red and purple eye make up.
This is what happened to me two days ago, and for the record, as I was walking home with my daughter from the NYU Cobble Hill ER—what a convenience!!—I said to her, I think there might be a story here. She smiled that knowing smile, which I wasn’t sure was the one that means “Yeah!” or the one that means “Yeah—my mother is crazy.” Regardless, I was glad she smiled, having missed an important meeting to be there for me, making sure I was OK.
I wanted to share some of the things I’ve been thinking about--lessons I learned from this experience. Here are the top 5 life lessons that I am taking away:
Having a family member or friend who is loving and “clutch” in the truest sense is the greatest treasure one can have. Cherish your relationships. Be sure you are “clutch” for others.
I always thought that “falling on your face” referred to being a “flop,” i.e. in theatre or movies, or in the business world—presenting and not capturing your audience. I had no idea it was a real thing—that you can actually fall on your face. Holy Christmas! I do not recommend it! Avoid at all costs!!
Most people are incredibly nice—as their first instinct. People gathered around me, offering to help me up, offering to help my daughter, running across the street with napkins and paper towels (yes, your nose does “gush” when you break it.). Nobody ran on their way, all the pedestrians stayed with me until I could walk on my own accord.
Say what you need positively and confidently, and it is likely people will try to oblige. When we walked into the City MD on Montague Street, my daughter said, “My mother needs to be seen immediately. I’m sorry, but we cannot wait, it is an emergency.” (Of course my bleeding all over the place was probably helpful too.) But we were whisked in, and the people waiting were not upset about it, they too were nice, as was the staff there. The staff at the ER which I was referred to after preliminary examination was exceptionally kind too!!
This one is the hardest and I have to think about it more. Accept your limitations. The reason I fell is I was walking too fast for me. I shattered my patella a few years ago and it was reconstructed, so my leg just isn’t as steady. I was going much too fast, I couldn’t catch myself. I should have been more careful. I should have been looking down as I know the streets and sidewalks are uneven. I was always a fast walker—all my years—but since that time, I know I have to be more careful. I know I have to slow it down. But I didn’t, I was flying, and it felt great, until… I fell on my face. Point well taken.
