CHOOSE YOUR SIDEWALK CAREFULLY

“Experience: that most brutal of teachers.

But you learn, my God do you learn.”

~C.S. Lewis quotes

Pier To The Lighthouse by Barb Ver Sluis 

I once heard a valuable quote about intentional living that I have never forgotten:

“Life tends to repeat itself and turn up the volume when we don’t learn from it.”

I know I’ve personally experienced many of the “lessons” of life repeatedly before learning and moving on. As I thought about this quote, I remembered a brilliant short story by Portia Nelson entitled, “Autobiography in 5 Short Chapters.”

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 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 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 another street.

I love the simplicity and truth of this poem.

3 powerful truths from the poem:

1. stop blaming others 
2. when we fall in the hole, don’t wallow in self-pity - get out 
3. be intentional about your habits

“Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”

What street are you walking down today? Is it one you’ve frequented with unsuccessful results? Walk through life today with open eyes – make conscious choices and choose your actions.

QUESTION: Have you experienced the truth of this poem in your own life? Please leave comments below.