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Staying Upright



I’ve got a young son who has just started walking. It’s months after we expected him to walk, but I guess he wasn’t in much of a hurry since all he had to do was shout at one of his siblings and they’d pick him up. Then he would point, shout again, and said sibling would carry him anywhere he wanted to go. It’s fair to say he didn’t have a great incentive to walk on his own. I’m pretty sure if he had ready access to a rickshaw he would never be ambulatory.

Just a few days into this new walking business – as my son wobbles around the house – he often has to stop, regain his balance and then continue. I thought about how different that is from learning how to ride a bike. The latter can be difficult for a young kid because as they start to lose their balance, the tendency is to slow down or stop to regain control. Unfortunately, it’s nearly impossible to balance on a stopped bicycle. To stay balanced, you must move forward.

Isn’t this similar to everyday life? When things get a little wobbly or off-balance, the natural tendency is to stop. Now, there are certainly times to stop and reflect, or to at least slow down and re-evaluate. But I’m referring to the human inclination to just stop when things get rocky or if we get bumped off course. It’s not a tactic or a strategy, it’s a reaction.

Unfortunately, and against what feels right and natural, the only way to regain balance is to keep moving. Even though stopping may feel less risky, you’re far less likely to be toppled over if you push forward. Sometimes you must overcome your instincts and keep moving.

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