I have never once in my life been called clumsy.
I remember tripping up the stairs a few times all of which happened while I was on crutches or recently off them. I don’t drop things. I can balance things on my head and walk. I even remember one time my friend Spencer tried to trip me in health class and I caught myself before anyone noticed I stumbled.
I am pretty coordinated.
I used to think it was because I took just enough years of gymnastics and ballet. I also used to think it was because I was gifted with balance. These things impact how little I trip, but I realize now they aren’t the main reason I don’t fall.
I walked the uneven streets of North East India without stubbing my toes or falling. It wasn’t because I knew where to put my feet, it was because I SAW where to put my feet. I realized in India that I watch my feet while I walk.
What a sad realization to make after 22 and a half years of life and 4 months on the World Race!
Think of all the things I missed because my eyes were on my feet! There is so much to see in this world, and I’ve been given the opportunity to see so much it. Yet I missed a lot of it.
From now on, I want to walk with my head up. I want to see what I am passing. I want to see the sights and the people. I plan on tripping on uneven ground a little more often to see the people I am passing and the majesty of God’s creations.
I am sure most of you don’t walk around watching your feet, but I encourage you to start looking around. How many people do we miss whose lives we could change? How many things do we not recognize because we don’t see them?
From now on, let’s walk with our heads up and our eyes open.
