THERE'S A HOLE IN MY SIDEWALK…

Dear Wonderfuls —

Several of you yesterday, after reading my BEWARE OF FALLING COCONUTS post, alerted me to this terrific poem by Portia Nelson (which she also calls "An Autobiography in Five Short Chapters.") I loved it (and identified with it) and wanted to share:

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'm 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.

Have a good (and safe, and wise) Saturday everyone!

Liz

via Elizabeth Gilbert’s Facebook Wall