Wiser on Wednesday - October 21, 2009

AUTOBIOGRAPHY IN FIVE CHAPTERS

Portia Nelson

1

I walk down the street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk I fall in.

I am lost...I am hopeless.

It isn't my fault.

It takes forever to find a way out.

2

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'm in the same place.

But it isn't my fault.

It still takes a long time to get out.

3

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.

4

I walk down the same street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I walk around it.

5

I walk down another street

This poem continues to teach me about my choices and being responsible for them. (staying in Chapter Five is harder than it seems. Chapter Five can be quite elusive!)