Autobiography In 5 Chapters

Every year I send my clients, friends and families a selection of quotes I’ve found inspiring or insightful. While I like to think all the quotes I find are pretty wonderful, there was one in particular that seems to always generate a lot of responses. It’s called “Autobiography in 5 Chapters.”

Here it is:

1)  I walk down the street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I fall in.

I am lost . . . I am hopeless.

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 don’t see it.

I fall in again.

I can’t believe I’m 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 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.

 

4)  I walk down the same street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk

I walk around it.

 

5)  I walk down another street.

 

*****

The reason I particularly appreciate this quote or poem is that it describes the process of therapy, of how, with help, insight and support, we can make different choices. Choices that support our well-being, growth and happiness.

What do you think of this “Autobiography”? Does it speak to you? Leave a comment below and let me know what this selection means to you.