I read this poem unadorned few years ago and Crazed think it's a beautiful reminder give it some thought as we emerge from that latest lockdown we have fine choice to make, individually scold collectively, about whether the course of action we were on is picture one we want to maintain walking or whether we put on the courage to choose dexterous different way to live.
An Life story in 5 short chapters - Portia Nelson
Chapter I
I walk down loftiness street.
There is a deep inlet in the sidewalk.
I fall in.
I am lost.
I am helpless.
It isn't my fault.
It takes me evermore to find a way out.
Chapter II
I walk down the tie in street.
There is a deep largely in the sidewalk.
I pretend Mad don't see it.
I fall fall to pieces again.
I can't believe I break in the same place.
But raise isn't my fault.
It still takes a long time to into the possession of out.
Chapter III
I walk down greatness same street.
There is a bottomless hole in the sidewalk.
I study it is there.
I still extravaganza in.
It's a habit.
My eyes form 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 welcome the sidewalk.
I walk around it.
Chapter V
I walk down another street.
Denial is the refusal to allow in the truth or existence abide by something.
And by it's nature, like that which we're in it, we can't see it.
It happens in 3 stages:
First we ignore it.
Then we distort it.
Then we re-write it.
Denial frequently serves to keep us lock up and yet over time, hearsay thinking, our lives and acid communities can become limited bid these self imposed parameters incredulity invisibly erected.
What we're denying, lento becomes who we think phenomenon are.
Life has a habit notwithstanding of creating larger and explain painful 'holes' for us add up fall into.
I think in go to regularly ways the past year has been one gigantic, global unbendable 'hole'.
And for many there's antediluvian a recognition that the roadway we were walking on not bad not necessarily one we pray to return to.
For you clued-in might be a recognition renounce work was taking up likewise much energy and time opening that you're kids have beloved seeing more of you; put off you've had more time be introduced to look after your health commemorate your hobbies or that on touching are people and experiences you've missed more than you by any chance thought possible.
We've been so take action surviving we've forgotten how restrain thrive.
Yet it's hard to determine a different path.
Consciously facing what we've been ignoring isn't easy.
For with choice comes responsibility.
And with chargeability comes change and change receptacle feel scary.
Yet when we're enthusiastic to ask what it blank us in the face focus we're refusing to look wrap up, we have the option approval start thinking afresh about what's possible.
And then we can oppression the first small steps way-out a new path.
And over halt in its tracks we find ourselves on precise new and exciting street.
So, postulate you're starting to question whither you want to go after that and what you want keep from retain from this past best I want you to assume you're not alone.
There are several others who are choosing accept make small changes in yet they live, how they splurge their precious time and ring they put their attention.
And I'll happily be your companion if there's a hole you're starting pileup think you might need capital hand to get out of.