American singer and actress, Portia Nelson (1920 – 2001), wrote this wonderful short poem in the 1970’s titled, “Autobiography in Five Short Chapters.”
It goes like this:
Chapter 1
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 me forever to find a way out.
Chapter 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 am in the same place
but, it isn’t my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.
Chapter 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.
Chapter 4
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.
Chapter 5
I walk down another street.
I love this poem as it so aptly describes the circumstances in which we can so often find ourselves.
My question for you today is simple.
Which chapter are you living?
Do you find yourself making the same mistakes over and over again, or have you learned to walk down a new street, one that has less potholes and will have you on track for future success?
Previous post – Don’t Become a Dinosaur
Next post – You Can Be Too Careful
6 comments
Comments feed for this article
June 6, 2013 at 10:31 pm
Chris
Great post. Thanks Darren!
LikeLike
June 6, 2013 at 10:33 pm
Darren Poke
You’re welcome, Chris
LikeLike
June 7, 2013 at 12:46 am
Science of the Soul
Love this! I’m reblogging and sharing on my Science of the Soul Facebook page 🙂 Thank you for your hard work of blogging daily in order to inspire us all to make our lives better! You rock, and we appreciate you, Darren!
LikeLike
June 7, 2013 at 10:49 pm
Darren Poke
Thanks SS, you’re very kind
LikeLike
June 7, 2013 at 12:47 am
Science of the Soul
Reblogged this on Science of the Soul and commented:
Great short poem by Portia Nelson! Thanks Darren, for sharing this wonderful poem and Life lesson! 🙂
LikeLike
September 26, 2018 at 4:36 am
Julia Col
what does the hole mean versus the street
LikeLike