Falling and Rising
There’s a Hole in My Sidewalk
Portia Nelson
My autobiography in 5 short chapters.
CHAPTER 1
I walk down the street and there’s a deep hole in the sidewalk. I fall in, I am lost, I am helpless, but its not my fault and it takes forever to find a way out.
CHAPTER 2
I walk down the street and there’s a deep hole in the sidewalk. I see it there, I still fall in, its not my fault and it takes a long time to climb out.
CHAPTER 3
I walk down the same street and there’s a deep hole in the sidewalk. I still fall in, it’s a habit, but it is my fault, and I get out immediately.
CHAPTER 4
I walk down the street and there’s a deep hole in the sidewalk. I see it there so I walk around it.
CHAPTER 5
I walk down a different street.
From, ‘not my fault’ to, ‘it is my fault’ is the movement from passing the blame to taking responsibility. It is the path of healing and maturity. To blame is to forever b-lame so that when we fall its difficult to rise again.