Getting Started....

Autobiography in Five Short Chapters

By Portia Nelson

Chapter 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 forever to find a way out.

Chapter 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.

Chapter 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.

Chapter IV

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.

Chapter V

I walk down another street.

I thought I'd start with this poem by Portia Nelson. I've already posted it in my other blog, but it feels appropriate to post it again now. I like how it is about the fact that we often make the same mistakes in life, but each time, we have the opportunity to learn something else, and to adapt our behaviour, so that we eventually avoid making the same mistake again. It's about self-responsibility; making mindful choices - such as choosing to go in a different direction, taking a different path - a more authentic one - which is what life is ultimately all about...