I’d like to share the powerful poem, Autobiography in 5 Short Chapters by Portia Nelson. This poem is printed near my bed and I wake up to it every morning. It teaches you in just five short chapters, the importance of chapters in our life and how mindset about the chapter you are in can dictate your outlook and outcome of your entire life. It teaches you to observe yourself, focus on perspective (how you look at things) and ultimately experience your current (and past) chapters in a positive way.
A Hole In The Sidewalk… Now What?
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 me 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.
What chapter (and mindset) are you?