Showing posts with label Portia Nelson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Portia Nelson. Show all posts

Thursday, May 22, 2008

You Learn (Alanis Morissette)

Not feeling too talkative these last few days - laying low, giving myself some much-needed breathing time... and looking forward to the three-day weekend...


POEM: Autobiography in Five Short Chapters by Portia Nelson

Chapter 1

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.

Chapter 2

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 3

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 4

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.

Chapter 5

I walk down another street.

QUOTE: "The purpose of learning is growth, and our minds, unlike our bodies, can continue growing as we continue to live." ~ Mortimer Adler