Life is too short to be embarrassed; This is what I told
myself the day I almost became part of an exhibit. As a result of this episode
I stumbled upon my new mantra – I may be aging, but I’m still rocking the boat.
You’re probably familiar with the saying, “a picture is worth
a thousand words.” Well, take good look at the photo included with this blog
post; it has a story to tell.
It was an atypical workday, the rare occasion where I escort
a group on a trip. We enjoyed a tasty dinner that was pleasing to the palate.
As we waited for the entertainment to begin…I became the entertainment. It was
comical, but I was not performing comedy.
A large group of us stepped outside of the venue to absorb
serene atmosphere- a sandy ocean front,
the sun setting, and a relaxing fire pit. I would be remiss if I did not
mention the replica sailboat that sat on slats near the sandy area. It was a perfect
spot for photos.
I watched as several people posed standing in front of the sailboat
or sitting on its edge. Then it was my turn, I excitedly plopped on the front
edge of the boat. It rocked, swayed…almost capsized.
I hoped up, took a bow, and asked those who took pictures before
me, “why didn’t you warn me?” That replica sailboat couldn’t handle my hips.
There should have been a warning sign, a weight limit, something to deter me
from mounting that boat.
One of my travelers was doubled over with laughter. When she
caught her breath and regained her composure, she began singing, “Rock the
boat, don’t rock the boat baby. Rock the boat don’t tip the boat over.”
I joined the clamor, raised my arms as though I had just
received a score of 10 on a balance beam dismount. In that moment, I realized
you’re never too old to make a spectacle of yourself.
Below are 5 ways you can survive embarrassment by finding
the funny.
1.
Give yourself permission to laugh.
2.
Change the question from “Why me?” to “Why is
this funny?”
3.
Use humor as a reset. A good laugh can change
the emotional temperature of the entire situation.
4.
Ask, “Will this matter 5 years from now?” If
not, you might as well enjoy telling your story.
5.
Celebrate your ability to recover. Sometimes the
funniest part isn’t what happened but how you handled it.
I’m learning to grow older without growing too serious. How do
you handle an embarrassing situation?
