The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
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 helpless It isn't my fault. It takes 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. It still takes a long time to get out.
3. I walk down the same street, There is a deep hole in the sidewalk, I see it 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.
Someone gave this to me today...seemed pretty fitting for me -- I've lived the first 4 chapters. Now I'm about to walk down a different street I'm starting back to school in the fall to earn my teacher certification.
LOL! Just to let you know what chapter I am on, I thought I was scrolling down and actually wasn't so I read chapter 1 and 2 like 4 times. I started laughing because I thought how fitting for me! Then I figured it out and read on.....Good story!
Luna, Thanks for posting this, I've always loved it and thought how it captures our human nature that such simple concepts as steps 4 and 5 are sometimes so hard for me to implement in certain settings. Awareness and Acceptance - nothing changes without them. All the best to you this fall in school (and in all things, of course). Change is Good. emma
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