A DIfferent Street

This is called Autobiography in Five Short Chapters, by Portia Nelson

It describes the process of how we work to change unwanted behaviors in our lives. I believe it is often used in recovery programs, but I think we could easily apply it to various, less devastating aspects of our lives.

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.

2. I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I pretend I do not 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.

3. I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I see it there. I still fall in…it is a habit. My eyes are open, I know
where I am. It is my fault, I get out immediately.

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

5. I walk down a different street.

Sometimes, it is difficult to see the simple solution….it may be simple, but it is not easy

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