We all have many thoughts and behaviour patterns that are not always useful. A behaviour or a thought that may have been helpful earlier in our life might, in fact, now prevent us from living a fulfilled life. Changing such deeply engraved patterns can be very challenging. The following poem reflects this process. It shows that a change usually does not take place overnight but requires time. We must face the situation and realize and acknowledge our dysfunctional thoughts and behaviour patterns. We then must develop alternative reactions and implement them into our daily lives. Another topic mentioned in the poem is blame. We often tend to blame others for our situation or misfortune. Although others might have contributed to our situation, blame is usually unproductive. We can not change others. We can only change ourselves.
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The poem entitled “Autobiography in Five Chapters” comes from the American singer, actress and author Portia Nelson:
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.
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 me a long time to get out.
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.
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.
I walk down another street.
*****
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Photo: Molly Porter via Unsplash
