FALTER

Have you ever looked at a person you respect acting in a way that made you respect them a little less and then wonder to yourself... "Why did you have to do that?"

Sometimes it's a co-worker, sometimes a political candidate, sometimes a good friend - but it always seems to have the same result: an awkward feeling of embarrassment for them and slight confusion/frustration for me.

I suppose we all put certain people in our lives up on pedestals, holding them to a higher standard (perhaps unfairly high) than the rest of those with whom we surround ourselves. Usually this place of honor is for people we respect or look up to or admire, someone we want to be like or after whom we try to mirror our own actions.

And then, when they slip up - as all mere mortals will do - we're disappointed.

I think it might be more than just disappointment in them, however. I think it also is a general, bigger picture realization that if they can err, so can we. And that reality is humbling. None of us is perfect. None of us is without flaws. Even those we seem to think can do no wrong.

But it's most encouraging when, after a falter, we see them pick themselves back up and try again - make a more earnest, honest attempt. Because it means we, after we falter - which we will do - can do the same.