This was sent to me by my sister over two years ago when I started on my path of self-discovery and spiritual understanding. At first I didn’t quite understand the meaning until I started to understand myself, my actions and more importantly my thoughts. As I myself heal this poem became clearer and clearer to me. It’s one of those poems that are saved in my favorites in my phone and on my computer because every now and then I need the reminder of where I was and where I am today. Ironically, I feel like I’ve lost my spiritual path a little bit and when I read this poem again today I see once again how far I’ve come. Even just knowing that I have fallen off my path slightly shows how much I learned. I’ve had this poem up many times on my blog but I wanted to put it up again.

An Autobiography in Five Chapters
by Portia Nelson

Chapter 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.

Chapter 2

I walk down the same street.

There is a deep hole in the side walk.

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 3

I walk down the same street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I see it is there.

I 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 4

I walk down the same street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I walk around it.

Chapter 5

I walk down a different street.