There's a Hole in the Sidewalk..Can You See It?

I stumbled across this piece several years ago and have found it to be instrumental in self-reflection.  It is applicable to many aspects of our lives and helps us to think about the decisions and choices we make each day.  Take a few minutes to carefully read each "chapter" and then answer this question:  What chapter am I in?

An Autobiography in 5 Short 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 helpless. It isn’t my fault. It takes forever to find a way out.



Chapter II: I walk down the 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 III: 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 IV: I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I walk around it.


Chapter V: I walk down a different street.”

                                                                                                             — Portia Nelson