An Autobiography in Five Short Chapters

The following poem has circled the world for years. It is especially known in the world of recovery.  Many or most have you  I have used it many times as an inspirational  way to start my Early Recovery group.  Many of its members are chronic relapsers, and this poem serves as a reminder that when we continue doing the same thing over and over again, we should always expect the same results.

I know that some of us are battling with addictions while many of us are battling with our weight.  We start out with all the best intentions, only to find ourselves right back where we started from a short time later. Why?  Because we keep making the same choices over and over again.  The poem tells us that we have 'choices' and encourages us to wake up and choose a new path.  

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 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 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.

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 another street.

~ Portia Nelson ~