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 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 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 is there.
      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.

          -Portia Nelson, 1980

Which chapter of life are you on?

Tags: recovery