"Make a Fool of Yourself" Moments

Recently I fell down the stairs. I wanted to share this to create a space for laughter and vulnerability, so here I am. Last week, on a Thursday, I fell down a flight of stairs like a lifeless ragdoll. I'm currently still recovering both physically and mentally from that moment. I'm not sure what hurt more, my skinned knee or my pride. And what was worse is that someone heard it and came over while I was still trying to save myself from embarrassment. I will never understand why people ask, "Are you okay," when someone is clearly hurt, just went through something crazy or you can visibly see that they are crying or upset. No Sherlock, I just fell down a flight of stairs and am completely fine. I wish I was given some time to at least get up and readjust myself so that I could process what just happened. I mean how embarrassing is it to be on the ground hurting, as someone stands tall over you with the look of pity on their face asking if you're okay? Like dang, give me a minute to get up and process if I'm hurt or embarrassed.

Anyways, let me tell you how this happened. I am an intern at a lawfirm and I am constantly carrying things up and down the steps to the shredder. This time, I was carrying a big box of files and I couldn't see over the box so I tripped over my feet and flew down the stairs and landed on the door at the bottom of the steps. The box in my hands of course were fine and fully in tact. I, on the other hand, was not. Physically, I was pretty okay, but I couldn't prepare myself for the embarrassment that was 3 seconds away. One of the guys who works here quickly came and opened the door and looked down at me as I quickly got up with the box and asked me if I was okay. Now this time, I won't bear any ill will on him because he didn't see what happened. But best believe, I was humiliated. I couldn't even pay attention to the stinging pain on my knee. So, I did what I do best. I played it off and said, "Oh yeah, I just dropped the box down the steps." I quickly limped my way back up the steps hoping that I didn't blow my cover.

Now you might be wondering, Isabella why was this so embarrassing for you? I am a lady-that's why. Ladies are supposed to move with grace and sophistication. I'm not talking about the general population of women, I am moreover talking about a genre of women, which I call ladies. They dress neat and polished, and their nails are nice. Their hair is always neat whether it's straight, wavy, or curly. They always smell good and have a beautiful sense of style. And they don't speak loudly, but rather with assertion and patience. Now can you imagine one of those ladies, falling down a flight of stairs? Absolutely not. Now while I may not have fully gotten to the standard of a lady, I am certainly trying. I was sent light years back when I fell down those stairs. All of my hardwork; like learning how to walk in heels, and learning how to politely agree to disagree, learning how to dress casually, professionally, and formally while still looking feminine, learning how to do my makeup and how to descalate a situation with patience. All that, just to fall down a flight of steps. Do y'all understand what I am saying?

Maybe you have different standards for yourself, but I'm sure at one point, you have done something so embarrassing and so out of character for you that it completely diminished your image. I feel that this is a lesson from Jesus Himself to stay humble. Now I'm not saying Jesus pushed me down the steps, He would never do that, but if there is anything to take away from this-it is the embarrassing moments that keep us all from looking too perfect. And whether or not you think this only happens to you or you have the mindset of, "Why does this always/only happen to me," I'm telling you, as a lady who fell down a flight of stairs, you're not the only one with embarrassing moments. And why not laugh at them more rather than be shy about it. I fell down a flight of stairs-someone sign me up to be a stunt double because I can handle it! I mean sure I have a bruise or two, but they only hurt if you press down on them. That's gotta count for something. Anyways, that's my little moment of embarrassment. Hopefully this encourages you to laugh a little at yourself. Leave a lil moment down below of a time you had to laugh at yourself :)