Falling Up

Today, I fell up the stairs. 
I'm always falling up stairs, just never down them.

By Jay Abstract- Abstract Thought

   Aside from the bruised knees and unstoppable flush of red to my cheeks, I've learned to walk away from these incidents relatively unscathed. 


   But it wasn't always that way. When I was just becoming acquainted with the feeling of shame, I was falling all the time. Paralyzed by embarrassment, I'd freeze on the steps with my eyes closed, trying to strain my hearing. If there was the slightest giggle, breath or even footstep I'd hear it. Then when there was no one to face, I'd get up and keep walking.


   Now when I fall up a flight of stairs, I laugh at myself. Or with my friends. Or I don't say anything at all and just keep on my way. This isn't because I'm embarrassed. (If anything I'm just a little annoyed.) But the way that I have overcome this 'shame' is probably a little peculiar. 


   I've begun to think of my falling up stairs as one big metaphor. I don't fall down stairs because in my life I never want to run away from anything.  I fall up stairs because I'm always rushing toward something. I'm constantly overeager to get more out of my life.


   I want to go up in life, not down. Even if it's a trip to get there.