Autobiography in Five Short Chapters

Chapter One

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 forever to find a way out.

Chapter Two

I walk down the street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I pretend that I don't see it.

I fall in again.

I can't believe I am in this same place.

But, it isn't my fault.

It still takes a long time to get out.

Chapter Three

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 ... but, my eyes are open.

I know where I am.

It is my fault.

I get out immediately.

Chapter Four

I walk down the same street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I walk around it.

Chapter Five

I walk down another street.

by Portia Nelson

This is another powerful metaphor of life being like a journey ... we learn important lessons along the way ... such as making the same mistakes again and again, then learning to avoid mistakes we've made in the past ... self-responsibility ... making choices - such as choosing to go in a different direction ...

I was first introduced to Portia Nelson's work during my counselling training. Each time I read this, it makes more sense!

What do you think?