Over the holidays I have been reading The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey. I really enjoyed the book and can see some great ways his 7 Habits can be used by us at this site.
But today I want you to read a powerful poem I found in his book. It is called Autobiography in Five Short Chapters by Portia Nelson.
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.
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 take a long time to get out.
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.
IV
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.
V
I walk down another street.
Where are you at right now?
It we use this poem to think about our life and our habits I think we can get a really good understanding of areas of improvement, and successes.
Are you still forgetting everything (chapter 1/2) or are you using your diary (chapter 5)?
Are you leaving study to the last minute of do you follow an exam routine?
What chapter describes your life and study habits at the moment?
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I love the poem. There is so much truth in it. We keep making the same mistakes until we are smart enough to stop blaming someone or something for the problem and can look at ourselves. It is called taking responsiblty.
I can hear the teenager now, “But mom I didn’t do good on the test because, Sally wouln’t leave me alone.”
Thank you,
Debbie