Overcoming...

Autobiography in Five Short Chapters by 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 me 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 am in the same place. But…it isn't my fault.

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.

—©1993 From There's a Hole in My Sidewalk