erichow.com/How to fall

So recently my buddy Luke and I bought some skateboards in an attempt to learn to kick flip. So after becoming overly confident on the second day of our learning process; I decided it was time to “drop-in” the pool at the local skate park. With one foot on the tail, and the other hovering over the abyss I give what I thought could be my final instructions ever to Luke.

“If I knock myself out, just call 911. My mom does not need to know.”

I take a deep breath, say a quick prayer, and shift my weight forward. Next thing I know I am staring at the stars, I taste blood, and the back of my head is throbbing. “I’m never doing that again without a helmet” which is the truth. The next day while recovering from oral surgery; I decided to watch some videos on skating in an attempt to learn without actually having to practice. Since I was almost sure my fantastic plummet destroyed a few brain cells, I googled how to fall. I learned that falling properly is extremely important not only in skating but in many sports! The ideal fall is one where you tuck in your arms, and shift the momentum on towards your shoulder or side so you can roll out of it. Even though it will still hurt, this way is the easiest on your body and can prevent many long and short term injuries.

So basically there were two things I did wrong:

1. I could have been more prepared (googled it prior, and worn a helmet)
2. I should have realized that maybe practicing ollies or something would be more constructive than trying more advanced movements without any help.

What these things boil down to is being prepared, and not having tunnel vision. Falling is important though, because you gotta be willing to take a few spills if you want to tackle anything outside your comfort zone. So just like learning to fall physically, we must also learn to navigate emotional falls.

1. Prepare for things you want to do! I’m working with choir kids in my job right now and many of them want to try out for the all-region choir this fall. However, few, let me say again, few of them are using all the tools made available by my coworkers and me in order to be best prepared for the coming auditions. So trying to be better than a high-schooler; if we have a goal we are working towards it is important that we give ourself every advantage possible in order to have our best chance possible.
2. There are few genuinely “once in a lifetime” opportunities. Humans potential is also more or less infinite, meaning that when one door slams shut in your face, that’s ok because it was only one of one million and one doors. Chances are, you just weren’t worthy of that opportunity either, I’m not trying to be cruel, but life always has a way of working out. This also can serve the purpose to light the fire beneath someone who wants it, and I mean really wants it. I met a young lady recently who was telling me about all these things she was doing and I could see the passion; when I asked her what motivated her, she said “to prove people wrong” and that’s a dang good reason in my opinion.

Next time you take a stumble, or hit your head, ask yourself was I prepared? and is there another path I’d rather choose? Hopefully this is a more constructive outlet than beating yourself up, saying that you’re worthless. Because yes maybe you are worthless, but better to be worthless and self conscience about it than oblivious to you’re own failures which are a consequence of your worthlessness.

Thanks for reading, take care, you got this 🙂