Choosing a Different Street
At some point last year, something went Click! and I suddenly found myself able to control...well, me. I've tried and tried to figure out what that something was, but I've never been able to put my finger on it. Now, I think I realize that there was no "it", but rather a series of life experiences that finally coalesced into some sort of usable plan. I've discussed some of those here before, but one was lingering outside my memory bank until yesterday, when I was trying to find something to inspire a blogging buddy who'd lost his way.
How do you help someone change a mindset that, based on experience, expects to fail? Who knows a particular thing will lead to failure and does it anyway? I've done it myself so many times before. How am I able to avoid it now? I want so badly to know, to be able to share some valuable piece of insight that will help someone in need change his/her path.
Anyway, as I was pondering this question last night, a piece of prose I read eons ago (one of those life experiences I mentioned earlier) came to mind:
Autobiography in Five Short Chapters
by Portia Nelson
Chapter One
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 Two
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 Three
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....but, my eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.
Chapter Four
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.
Chapter Five
I walk down another street.
From the book There's a Hole in my Sidewalk by Portia Nelson
If you find yourself knowing you're going down the wrong road, one that leads to failure, and doing it anway, I hope you can find the strength to choose another street.
It's my greatest wish for all of us.
Happy healthy Thursday to all!
P.S.
As usual, these are not my feet. :) Photo by zen.
~
~
Labels: lifestyle steps
20 Comments:
Those feet are ugly anyway :P
That is such an awesome post and one I might have to keep around. See I wouldn't have thought about walking down another street, only walking around it. Maybe that's why I have failed in the past.
Made me shed a tear or two, there.
How many times must we fall in that hole before we do choose the other street? Or even walk around?
I think this is a very good visualization to use though. To remember that we have to choose that other street, every single day, and to visualize ourselves doing it. I think I will use that.
Thanks, Cammy, as usual you are awesome. :-)
V.
Oh Wow... that was amazing. I often need something concrete to think about to make a real change and you just provided it :)
Thanks, that was so moving!
What a wonderful piece of advice. Thanks for sharng that with us.
I think I may have found that other street. It has a big sign on it that says "Get off your fanny." Walking has helped me to stay focused.
I really, really, really, really neeeded to read this post this morning.
Thank you.
Wonderful post. So very true.
I can't say what is different for me this time around. All I can say is that for the first time ever, I KNOW I will get where I'm going. I know I will run 3 miles one day soon. I know I will weigh 140 pounds some time in the not too distant future. I know I will continue to pay attention to what I feed myself and to make sure that it is mostly good, clean, whole food that makes my body feel good and function well. I can't explain it. I just know it.
One of the best things about that is how relaxed it makes me feel. For the first time ever I'm not worried about how long it will take. I'm on a different kind of journey this time. The weight is a big part of it, but it's not everything.
One reason I think I'm doing so well is that I have found blogging. Reading all of the blogs, and writing my own has made the biggest difference I think.
man, I SO used to do the street thing with MEN until I met my Renaissance Man.
M.
Well said by both you and Portia Nelson. I think I'm starting to get it, and it's much simpler than I've made it in the past. It's about personal responsibility.
I always complain that every one in my house is a slob, and that's why I have a chronic messy house. One day, I said I was going to take some personal responsibility for the mess and see what would happen. What happened, was my house got cleaner and my family started helping. I think I have finally taken some small steps to personal responsibility in regards to my health. It is so simple, but taking the actual step to personal accountability may be the long and difficult part.
Great post, I used to choose the same path but I'm trying new streets now and I hope everyone else has the courage to try it too.
I can relate because I too suddenly just got it because finally everything in my life was setup so that this time I could succeed. glad that you were able to experience that. great post!
That's a great post...one that I should read over and over. It's so easy to go down the wrong road!!
(Will we ever get to see the real feet??? just kidding!)
Love this! Great wisdom to think about and try. No, not try, do!
I am soooooooooooo behind on your posts!! I want to read makeover monday..and the rest..maybe over the weekend.That is great and SOOOOOOOOOOO captures the mindset...I need to save and reread that OFTEN.
I think you will need to start a new blog just about your REAL feet..called "Yes, THESE ARE MY FEET"!! HA
You are wonderful!
Cammy: it's funny but so many of your posts about things you've figured out help me to see that I've sort of figured them out as well.
I think the incremental changes has a lot to do with it. Great post!
I love the Autobiography in Five Short Chapters. Thanks for sharing it. It is very hard to walk down a different street, isn't it? There is such comfort in knowing the terrain of the old street, even though it is filled with pitfalls. We think we can just avoid them now that we know they are there, but that is actually hampering to our journey because we spend so much time planning to avoid the pitfalls. The real secret to success is to choose a different route altogether.
If only I could have understood this concept when I was much younger, I could have saved myself so much heartache. :) Even now, though I understand the concept, finding that other street is difficult. Staying on that new street can be difficult, as well.
I'm so glad I have blogs like yours to read that are helping me create a new street map. :)
I'll have to take a copy of that--it's so true!
One day we'll have to get a snapshot of your feet ;)
Those feet are pretty ugly, but I love the shoes!
This is a great post, Cammy! Really! It is so absolutely true and insightful.
That is a very profound piece of prose that you shared--and so very true. Been there, done that, and am finally through with it. Thanks for the eye opener! Have a great weekend!
This is a day late and a dollar short, but what an awesome post :) Thanks for sharing this story! It's awesome and encouraging, because I've been stuck in that same rut.
As always, you rock!
Great post. I have a saying on my office wall, "Remember: Pople have to jump over their own fences; you can't do it for them."
Post a Comment
<< Home