Ah, the joy of youth. Carefree, and without worry… until we pursue our first, real job. Then, the concern of age rears its ugly head for the first time. “Will clients have trouble responding to me because of my age? Will clients think that my age makes me less qualified for the position I hold? If only I was a little older…” Although it seems hard to fathom, those sentiments were quite real when we were beginning our work life.
Then, some years passed by. One day, you woke up no longer concerned about how young you are, but how old you are. For many who are struggling professionally, it can become an obsession. As you walk into an important interview, you find yourself thinking this: “I just know they are going to want someone younger than me!” The irony is if the person you are communicating with wasn’t concerned about your age, or any other perceived flaw, they are now. That imperfection is what I refer to as “a limp.” However, consider this:
“We all walk with a limp.”
There are a handful of biblical references to this phrase, I’d like to provide my take on these six simple words. We all have our own weaknesses, and those weaknesses represent our personal limp. Our limp is what makes us human. Oddly enough, I have difficulty trusting anyone who appears to have no limp. Maybe it’s because I believe our limp, and our ability to adjust to that limp, is what makes us extraordinary. Anyone without a limp is either an imposter, or possesses no compassion for those who do have limps.
Our limp can be any physical, or physiological imperfection you’d like to list here, and sadly, we often let it hold us back. Notice I said, “we often let it hold us back.” We are the ones who walk in the room troubled by our limp, and we are the ones who convince ourselves that our limp is a problem for others, so we are the ones that make others concerned about our limp. But it just doesn’t have to be this way!
My boy Jake and his wonderful limp
We had a beautiful black lab that was one of the greatest dogs I’ve ever had. My boy Jake was a beauty. One day we found Jake sitting by the door unable to move his back legs. He had mysteriously become paralyzed in his hind legs. The vet diagnosed a back injury, and he operated on Jake and did the best he could. After six months of rehab, my boy Jake could walk again. Oh, he didn’t quite walk the way his other friends did, but he had his own way of slowly getting up, and swinging one leg behind the other. He even learned to run. Oh, he didn’t quite run the way his other friends did, but he had his own way of getting up to speed, and running with his front legs while he hopped with his back legs.
Sometimes when we had friends over, they would notice him and they’d ask in a concerned tone: “Is your dog okay?” We’d smile and say, “He sure is.” You see, Jake walked with a limp but he really didn’t care. The other dogs in the neighborhood didn’t care, and neither did we. Jake went on to live another ten years with his wonderful limp.
We all walk with a limp. It’s time to stop worrying about what the person on the other side of the desk thinks about your limp. One thing I can absolutely guarantee you: If it’s not important to you, and you reach peace with your limp, it will dramatically decrease the impact that limp has on others. Too young, too old, to short, too tall, under qualified, over qualified, introverted, extroverted, physically or mentally challenged; it just doesn’t matter.
The people you are communicating with walk with their own limps, and at the end of the day, they aren’t concerned about your limp. They are concerned about your ability to live with your limp. Success requires humility, which is born from vulnerability. Walk tall, my friends, and make that limp part of the unique strengths you proudly offer the world.
That was very inspirational! I just turned 50 and I am walking with a limp and “I dont care”.
This is somewhat related to the life story of “spending your first 50 years acquiring stuff and the next 50 years trying to get rid of them.”
If you don’t care, no one else will care! As the great Popeye once said, “I yam what I yam!” As I’m in the “trying to get rid of them” stage, I know just what you’re talking about! Thanks so much for your comments here Rob.
Thank you Rob for another beautiful illustration that can help everyone who reads and absorbs your words.
I would venture a step further to say that our unique limps offer an opportunity to learn, to overcome, and to flourish on the success of our individual struggles. Jake’s limp didn’t limit him; it provided another opportunity for him to take pride in his ability to shake off a setback, and another lens through which to appreciate the family that loved him.
And love him we did, not in spite of his limp, but because of his limp. What a thoughtful response Dave. Thank you so much for posting it.
Amazingly insightful.
The insight came from the group, which is one of the reasons I cherish working with them. Isn’t it funny that often when we seek to help others, we are rewarded by what those others teach us? Great hearing from you Lorri.
Beautiful piece, Rob. Going to share it widely. Miss you. Say hello to your whole family for me, will ya?
What wonderful news! You’ve inspired me through your words and actions for so many year, I thrilled to be able to offer you a few words in return. So wonderful hearing from you Rob.
It takes some longer than others to be “comfortable in their own skin” and embrace their ” limp”, as it is what gives us our character and humility. I look forward to seeing my children, who are just entering the workforce, to embrace their “limp” as it sure makes life more satisfying.
You and me both Lisa. My children are also making their way into this world, limp and all! As you said, “embrace” that limp. Hard to teach character and humility but getting in touch with our own flaws certainly helps. Thanks for posting Lisa!
Great article Rob! I loved your dog story and how that related perfectly! This is definitely a lesson I will take to heart.
Thanks for writing about this topic. Allison
Isn’t it interesting how much we can learn from our pets? Jake taught me plenty. You are so welcome Allison. Thank you so much for posting!
Beautifully said. What an inspiring way to start the day by enjoying this post. Thank you.
Well hearing that helped me to enjoy my day! I always appreciate your postings Michael.
Thanks Rob – this is awesome! Yes, it brings to mind several bible verses as well as this quote: “There is a crack in everything…that’s how the light gets in” Leonard Cohen
If we had no limp, we wouldn’t need God…and we would miss the splendor of the life he means for us to have.
Limp on!
That might be a good title for a book: Limp On! I’m glad it touched you Lee, and I really like that quote you posted from Leonard Cohen. I’m grateful to read posts like yours because they teach me so much. Thanks for posting Lee.
Great story and a great way to make us all see that life can deliver us a bunch of lemons and limps. Work with what ya got, and be your own kind of perfect. Thanks for a helping me see that my limp is probably my greatest gift. You are wonderful Rob. Thanks.
Vive la différence! I really do believe if you look through history, your words are true; your limp is probably your greatest gift. Beautifully said Doug. Thanks a million for posting.
There’s always the possibility of being questioned and challenged when you enter a new environment. You can either react or you can respond. Reaction takes no patience, practice or work. Response takes consciousness and creativity. Every time I’m challenged, I see an opportunity to get creative and add that experience to my toolkit.
Rob, I’m glad you brought up this prevalent topic, it helps to know that this is a theme for many others in the workplace.
Thank you for the post!!!
Sincerely,
Taura
Wow! What a powerful, inspiring message…I’ll be sharing this life lesson with family and friends. Thank You.
I think one of the greatest compliments you can offer is an offer to share this with those you care most about. Thanks for the kind words, and the post. Great hearing from you Rich.
Thank you Rob! Just what I needed.
Walk proud! Thanks for posting Shirley.
That’s a great point you made Taura, and one that made me stop and think. “You can either react or respond.” This week I reacted to something that required consciousness and creativity. I’m not pleased with the way I reacted and next time I will hear your words to respond. Thank you for the post!!!
There is a saying, “if you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” Your post is really, I think, encouragement to know and then let go our respective limps… to “stand” as we are and open our arms to peoole who also have “limps”.. which is all of us.. Difference is what makes the world beautiful. Who wants everyone to be the same.
What a great saying! I knew I could count on a fellow BK author to kick this BLArticle® into another gear. Who does want everyone to be the same? I know you and I don’t, because we certainly are, well, unique! Thanks so much for posting Eileen.
Excellent piece — and easily worth a hundred bucks of therapy.
Glad to have saved you a few dollars! Celebrate that limp my friend. Thanks for posting Bruce.
This is a watershed moment. Think I’ll get a staff and carve a notch in it for every victory I win ever after this. Thanks, Rob!
So happy to read those words from you Edia. You WILL win because you will no longer hide your limp – you’ll celebrate it! Thanks for posting.
Great read; I’ve been missing your BLArticles! Glad to know you’re still inspiring goodness in others…not that I ever suspected you’d stop :).
Oh, I’m not stopping! Great to have you back, and by the way, you picked a good one. This is one of my favorite BLArticles®. Welcome back Sophia!