I was reminded last week of this poem and it’s punch-to-the-gut message about the power of our choices. As usual, it brought on tears. Some were gratitude tears for how far I’ve come. Some were for the road yet to travel.
Funny — in some parts of my life, I’m on Chapter 4 or 5. In others, I’m still falling in the hole and wondering whether it’s my fault. But, then again, aren’t we all? That’s the beauty of imperfection — that we still have work to do. We’ll ALWAYS have work to do, thankfully.
So, here it is. Read it… read it again… and get to the work of finding your new street. After a while, you won’t even want to look back at the old one.
“Autobiography in Five Short Chapters”
by Portia Nelson
I
I walk down the street.…
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk
I fall in.
I am lost … I am helpless.
It isn’t my fault.
It takes me forever to find a way out.
II
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don’t see it.
I fall in again.
I can’t believe I am in the same place
but, it isn’t my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.
III
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in … it’s a habit.
my eyes are open
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.
IV
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.
V
I walk down another street.
