In Others’ Words: Stand Up

Beth VogtFun, In Others' Words, Life, quote about choices, quote about life, Quotes 24 Comments

I took a fall this week.

Actually, I face-planted on my blue yoga mat attempting the Crow position. The instructor comforted me by saying she’d done the same thing, calling it “Pecking Crow.” My rendition of the move was more like “Crashing Crow.” And the black and blue bruising on my face attests to the fact that my nose is not meant to bear all of my body weight — not even for half a second.

In spite of my injury — and the firm conviction that I will not be attempting the Crow again anytime soon — I don’t regret what I did, or rather, didn’t do.

Reality is, I face-planted on purpose.

Oh, yeah, call me crazy. But I was being intentional in yoga class when the facial faux pas occurred. The instructor said, “Next, let’s move into the Crow position,” and began to instruct the class on how to do just that.

And I decided to take it slowly but, also thought, “Hey, why not take the pose up a notch?” Of course, that meant I had to contort my body in a gravity-defying position and balance my legs on my arms …

My attempt? A complete and utter failure.

I have the bruises to prove it.

But while choosing to take it up a notch may not have been the wisest thing I’ve ever done, here’s the rest of the story: I finished the yoga class. In the past, I would have slunk out of the room and locked myself in a stall in the ladies restroom and whimpered, from both pain and embarrassment. But this is the year of Confidence, right? And, since I wasn’t bleeding all over my mat, why not finish the class? Yes, my nose was swelling, but that’s no reason to quit.

I fell down.

I got back up.

And I’ll be back to yoga in the next day or two — I’ll just skip the Crow, thank you very much.

 

In Your Words: I’d love to hear about a “fall down seven times, get up eight” experience in your life. Bruises are not required.

 

Comments 24

  1. Ouch! So sorry for your pain, but happy for your decision to continue the workout.
    (And your humor shines through this piece. Your “crashing cow” comment made me laugh.)

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  2. I had an experience this week in my areas of weakness. The men in the family were having a ‘vigorous’ discussion standing in the kitchen while I was cleaning up dinner. I HATE conflict. The stomach was churning. But I finally told them to back it down. To stop the intensity. They laughed. I danced inside because I spoke up for myself. Maybe a first? Go girl! for finishing the class and standing tall with your colorful, beautiful face!

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  3. Your poor nose!! Hopefully it will recover soon.

    I’m sure many writers will be able to apply this to rejections. I know I can. It can be hard to keep getting up after one receives so many, but it seems a bit more bearable if we can see that we’re at least progressing and getting better.

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      The writing road is all about falling down and getting back up — and that’s why I am thankful for the writing companions that God has blessed me with. They often are the ones who help me get on me feet again when I’m face-down in the dirt.

  4. I’m so sorry for your nose, and your face! I love your post and your lesson learned. Once I was singing special music at church and I completely blanked on the words. Can you say deer in the headlights? I just had to jump back in when I remembered. And, yes, I still sing. Though I didn’t win the contests I finaled in last fall, I plan to take the suggestions made via scores and comments and apply them. There are lots of ways to fall and great ways to learn from them. 🙂

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  5. Definitely admire that you continued on with class! My example? I was riding my bike a couple of years ago when it decided to throw me. Not decided…my wheel hit a tiny little sidewalk line and followed it. Unfortunately, I didn’t. Of course it happened outside the office of our Superintendent of Education, and the first thing I did was to look around and be thankful no one saw me. As I wheel by the back door, here he comes running out to see if I’m okay. Sheesh. And I thought I got away with it. I got back on my bike and rode home. Would’ve preferred to walk it home, but he was so worried, I thought I ought to show him I was all right. I do avoid his parking lot now, even though it is a shortcut. hmm…is there a lesson?

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      Oh, wow, Pat — you did an “endo.”

      And you got back up on your bike to show the Superintendent you were okay. That takes guts, girlfriends — and probably a bit of shock setting in.

  6. Ah man, I’m so sorry about your fall, Beth. I’m glad the injury wasn’t worse though. Hope it heals quickly!!

    My “fall down seven, get up eight” experience: writing my second book! 🙂 I think I’ve written the opening chapters seven times. Haha…here’s the eighth finally hitting the sweet spot.

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      Understand completely, Melissa!
      I rewrote the ending of Catch a Falling Star 4 times.
      Beginnings and endings — vital parts of any novel, yes?
      😉

  7. Do you know this song? No weapon formed against me shall prosper
    All those who rise up against me shall fall
    I will not fear what the devil may bring me
    I am the servant of God, oh, I am the servant of God
    Also Prov. 24:16a says, “for though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again.” Good for you, Beth, but sorry it was a colorful experience.

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  8. Love this post, Beth! Sorry for your fall, but what a visual reminder of a writer’s journey. We all face challenges and fail or fall. I’ve had my share of bumps and bruises. I think getting up eight times is the moment of “Dog on it I am not going to lay down here and wallow. I refused to be beat.” There is a Chinese proverb that says, “Failure is just a stepping stone on the stairway to success.” God gives us the courage to keep getting back up.

    Love the song by Toby Mac: “Get Back Up”

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  9. Truly a writer, Beth. You take every life experience and put it to the page. LOVE this.

    Honestly, I live my life like this – live loud and hard, fall (embarrassingly) loud and hard, then learn to do it just a little differently, if not any quieter, the next time. I may die young at this rate, but like Chuck Swindol says, I plan on sliding into Heaven on my backside like sliding into Home Base, having used up every second of this life to the fullest.

    The bruises are the worst, because even if no one saw the fall, they still want to know how I got them. Right?

    Blessings.

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  10. Okay…I was in Bolivia and had to umm, find a bathroom. By the time I was finished my expedition, I was IN a ditch with a curious/amorous 250 pound pig and the shepherdess.

    5 female witnesses from my team and a truckload of farm workers ALL witnessed that I am, indeed , completely white, head to toe. There is truly NOTHING that can embarrass me anymore.

    I’ve been back to Bolivia twice since that experience. When the newbs get all mewly about going potty behind a tree, I say…”let me tell you about a pig…”

    If we don’t, as Becky said, “live loud and hard”, what are we missing when we slide into Heaven? I have regrets, one of which is that pig, but they don’t stop me from going forward and seizing the day God gave me. They might kick me, but I will not back down.

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