I believe that we, as people, as much as we'd like to think otherwise, do not walk or run or dance through life. I believe that we all are just stumbling. Can't you see it? We're all toddling through our first steps, just learning to walk, or live, as the case may be. We trip over our own feet ever day, and sometimes we fall.
This view of mine is actually synonymous with Gospel principles. As children of God, we were sent here to grow. We are learning to live just as our children in mortality learn to walk. I am sure we've all seen children and watched them, as they begin to pull themselves up and step along walls. They grin and smile and awkwardly swing their chubby little limbs around. Just like them, we must lean on things around us- people, places, and most of all, God. Throughout our whole lives, we never stop stumbling.
Sometimes it's not a bad stumble, but endearing, like tripping over words when talking to someone, or fumbling when holding something (preferably not anything too valuable or breakable). We as humans are often a little awkward or weird in our moods, and many may view this as a fault. Yet the truest friends anyone can have will view it as just a part of life. I know my best and truest friends deal with all sides of me, those times when I'm most steady on my feet, and also those times when I can barely stand without tripping (metaphorically, of course).
But sometimes it hurts, when we fall and make bigger mistakes, whatever they may be. It can hurt us, and it can also hurt others. We gain bruises and calluses from these falls, and we learn what not to do again. I'm sure everyone has personal experience with this. The pain of admitting to the fall, and not blaming anyone else is not pleasant, but it is redeeming. And this is how we learn, by falling over and over and getting back up to try again. Our Father watches us, and helps us as we shuffle along walls and couches.
To stumble and to fall is not shameful. I think this is the most important part to understand. It is natural, part of our learning here on earth. Just like stumbling children, we must view falls not as failure, but as a lesson. Just like children, we must get up again and again and not be afraid to fall. And just like we would not reprimand a toddler for slipping, we must not reprimand ourselves, only get back up with whatever lesson we have learned. Someday, long after this world's time has ended, we will truly be able to walk and run and dance. But for now, all we can do is continue to stumble and continue to learn.
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