Autobiography in 5 short chapters.

August 22, 2008 in Uncategorized with 1 Comment

The story below was written by Portia Nelson.  My friend asked me to post this, because she feels it fits the theme of this blog… so, here it is.  I want to hear what you have to say about this.  Discussion, opinions, personal reflections.  Maybe you heard it a long time ago, and resonates deep within you?  I don’t know, tell me how this touches you.

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.

  • http://www.kriskelley.com Kris

    Thanks Andy. I had the benefit of hearing this several years ago. At the time, it didn’t touch me much, but for some reason I held onto it and thought of it often, especially during times that required a big decision. Times when I needed rememberance of how a similar decision may have resulted in the past. Would I be walking down a new street or would I be walking down the same street?