Look Before You Leap

The expression “look before you leap” is not something that I have ever actually listened to. I do at the very least think before I say most things, which is definitely a plus. Even with all the icy sidewalks I do not pay much attention to where I am stepping. Therefore, I fall often, which always brings about some laughter among my friends, even if they were not present to witness the actual fall. I even see other people fall, but usually they are walking slowly and stepping with caution before they hit the ground. Seeing people who are walking fall is expected, however, I have never seen anyone running fall. Why do they not fall all the time? Then I realized that walkers, like myself, don’t look at where they are stepping. On the contrary, runners are scooping out the footing ahead of them and picking the safest path. This is smart, I would never think to do that. I ride horses, my horse is the one who is supposed to be looking at the ground.

With some observation of a runner’s gracefulness and lack of falling I discovered that runners actual do abide by the “look before you leap” motto. If a runner is watched closely enough any individual would be able to notice his or her eyes analyzing the sidewalk or road ahead. They are proving that the statement will be a protector if used properly. Why not apply it’s symbolic meaning to more things in life. For example, checking if the leftover food is no spoiled before consuming it, or looking both ways before crossing the street. All these fall into the “look before you leap” category. Still, it cannot always be a way to protect oneself.

I was riding with my roommate in her car on the way to the mall. We were stopped at a stoplight. A runner was running across the street, he was thoroughly scanning the slightly snow covered sidewalk he was about to travel on to. There was a huge snow bank that he would have to climb over in order to get on the sidewalk. I could see him looking up and over the snow bank. His face had a look of “it is safe” on it. My roommate and I were both just sitting and waiting for the light when my roommate said, “I bet he falls.” I had to mention that the runner thoroughly analyzed the sidewalk before he made it to the middle of the crosswalk. Therefore, he would probably be fine. Instantly after I finished explaining my reasoning, the runner leaped right over the snow bank, hit some ice, fell, and slide into the streetlight. I felt so bad for the poor guy, because he was cautious but yet his caution did nothing for him. His failure taught me something. Looking before you leap, is a good thing to abide by, but it cannot always save you. Sometimes you actually have to fall in order to learn something. I bet that the fallen runner will never again jump over a snow bank at such a fast pace. His mistake reminded about something very important. Sometimes we fall, but the honor comes to the people who pick themselves up.