“Do unto others as you’d have them do unto to you”

“Do unto others as you’d have them do unto to you”

I didn’t get a lot of sleep last night, in fact I woke up several times during the night. I think we all have nights like that, staring at the digital clock across the room, forcing yourself to sleep. I flung the covers across the bed andlooked at the clock. It read that it was 4:38 AM. I got dressed knowing I was going down to the dreaded treadmill. I put both my dress shoes and walking shoes next to each other under the bed the night before. I just slip them on in the dark and head downstairs. I turn on the news, program my walk, and away I go. Its a habit that I have done for a few years.

I was enjoying the news and getting the weather. I was having a great day of walking. I felt good and didn’t even notice how fast the time was going. My treadmill shut down after 30 minutes, and I was ready for the day. I walked into my office, turned on the lights, and went to pour some hot water for my green tea. As I looked down at my feet, I noticed that I had slipped on two different shoes. One was my white walking shoe, and the other one was my brown dress shoe. I stared in disbelief. How in the world did I do that? Listen folks, I am very aware of my surroundings, but this was very embarrassing! I had never done anything like this in my life.

Both shoes were very comfortable and fit well, but in the dark, I couldn’t tell each one from the other. Have any of you ever done this? I kind of doubt that you have, but it sure was funny to me. I wouldn’t dare go out in public wearing two different shoes nor would you.

My point is sometimes we don’t notice when things are wrong. We find out very quickly when someone points our mistakes out to us. How do we deal with it? It can be very embarrassing for the one telling us that something is out of whack. I can remember ordering a cheese burger at McDonalds. The guy who was taking my order had his zipper wide open. I was wondering how I would tell him. There was a big line behind me and I knew someone would embarrass this kid by laughing at him or saying something hurtful. So, I leaned over and said, “Excuse me, just wanted to let you know that your zipper is open.” He quickly turned away and said “Thank you”. He was red faced and slightly uncomfortable.

I know how embarrassing it can be when someone points out your zipper being open. My brother Bob had taken a friend of mine and myself to see the Indy 500 time trials. We went into gas station to get some sodas, chips and other snacks. As I was standing in line, I was 16 years old at this time, and Bob says out loud where everyone could hear him, “Hey Mike, what do airplanes do?” I looked at him puzzled and said, “What?” Again he asked even louder, “What do airplanes do?” “What are you talking about?” I asked. Now he had everybody looking and listening to every word he said. Again he asked, “What do airplanes do? ” I said, “WHAT”? He said very loudly, “They fly; and yours is wide open!” I had no where to turn. I had people surrounding me from all sides looking and staring. My face turned a bright red, I was humiliated beyond measure. I zipped up my zipper, and got out of the gas station, pronto.

Do you have trouble  helping others in difficult circumstances? Most of us would have smiled and said nothing, and kept to ourselves. There have been times I have done this. I said nothing and walked away. Are you afraid to help others in embarrassing situations? Do you look away, and hope someone else tells the person something’s amiss? I have a saying, “Do unto others as you’d have them do unto to you”. What would you want someone to do if they saw something amiss on you? Would you want someone to tell you discreetely, or have them walk on by?

If you have a difficult time pointing out embarrassing things to others, how do you think you could tell them? What’s the most embarrassing situation you have ever seen that went unnoticed, and you felt very embarrassed for the person?

If you need help in being more bold and assertive in helping others, including yourself, You can contact Mike at Applicable Coaching Life Coaching at 303.456.0555 for additional information.