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Question
Can a clumsy person train himself/ herself to overcome shortcomings? How could this be done?
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Solution
Yes, a clumsy person can train himself to overcome his short comings. People with severe Parkinson’s disease learn to hold a spoon and eat with great difficulties. Children with multiple disabilities and nervous problems learn to button up their shirts, tie the shoelaces and even assist friends with similar ailments. There is no difficulty in the world that is insurmountable. Practice makes one perfect. The author’s wife, without rebuking him publicly for his callous clumsiness, trains her children to be supportive of their father Mr. Bryson who always spills drinks or bumps on something or even sits on chewing gum or spilled oil.
As clumsiness is not a welcome behavior pattern among adults, one must learn how to mend oneself and try to overcome one eccentricity per day with deliberate effort. The author does admit to restraining himself to reduce the laundry bill. But if he extends his efforts even during the presence of his family on long-distance air-travels, it would be nice. Cultivating acceptable behavior in public places is not an impossible task for any sensible man.
‘‘I am not clumsy. It s just the floor that hates me.
The tables and chairs are bullies
And the wall gets in the way.”
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