The Six Tiptoes

There are different kinds of tiptoeing. The first most logical one is physically walking on tiptoe to make as little noise as possible. This is called "purposeful tiptoeing". Whether we are trying not to wake someone or we are a burglar, we really ought to learn a proper tiptoe. Of course, if we live in (or are trying to rob) an old house that has squeaky boards here and there, no amount of tiptoeing lessons will help us.

Tiptoeing #2: You just got out of your car at the beach and you’re looking at the lake and the lovely cream-colored sand in front of you. You can’t wait to jump in the water for a cool-down swim. You grab your beach bag and step onto the sidewalk. You don’t know that when you first stepped out of your car you happened to stand on a spot that is shaded, so you don’t expect reality when your bare feet step onto the partially sand covered cement. Hot sand and cement. Really hot sand and cement. The “auto tiptoe” kicks in. “Auto tiptoeing” doesn’t solve the problem, but it does make it a little less painful.  

Tiptoeing #3: Were you or one of your family members born with a natural tiptoe? We had one. When he started walking – or more accurately running – he was on his tiptoes. I’ve seen others who also had “born-with-it tiptoes.” It’s really kind-of cute.

Tiptoeing #4: Do you ever feel like you have to tiptoe around people so as not to make them angry? It does happen. Of course, some of us haven’t learned the graceful art of this kind of tiptoeing. It takes a brave, self-confident soul to be able to tiptoe instead of lash out. It’s not being weak; it’s giving others the grace to dwell in their own space. It also stops an argument from ensuing or escalating. “Grace tiptoe” through it: if necessary, maybe it’s best to literally leave the situation with a #1 (purposeful) tiptoe action.

If we need tiptoeing lessons, we probably ought to have them. We never know when we’ll need such helpful toe skills. Have a fun day, and I hope you don’t have to do any “drastic tiptoeing” (that’s all of the tiptoeing skills put together; it’s a pretty comical sight). The only other option is the “upright tiptoe” which will have you climbing the walls. But maybe you already are! Climbing the walls, that is - in which case, I'm afraid you're in for a bumpy ride with the "drastic tiptoeing". All I can say to that is: good luck and God bless!