I first heard this beautiful poem from Dr. Wayne Dyer in his PBS Special many years ago. Dr. Dyer cited Portia Nelson’s seminal poem “Autobiography in Five Chapters,” which is treasured by people seeking to better themselves. The poem was included in Portia’s milestone book, There’s a Hole in My Sidewalk: The Romance of Self-Discovery.
As a student and practitioner of conscious parenting, I started my journey with the victim mentality portrayed by chapters 1 and 2 of the poem. But over time, equipped with experience and many life lessons, I started taking full responsibility of my life like the narrator in chapters 3 and 4. My goal is to be conscious every moment as described in chapter 5. I believe it is the goal for all of us.
Which chapter of the poem do you relate to?
AUTOBIOGRAPHY IN FIVE CHAPTERS by Portia Nelson
Chapter I
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.
Chapter II
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 this same place.
But it isn’t my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.
Chapter III
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it there.
I still fall in… it’s a habit… but,
my eyes are 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 in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.
Chapter V
I walk down another street.
