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 takes 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.

Problem Solving Attitudes

Which of the attitudes below best fits how you generally address the problems or difficulties in your life?

Each one of the attitudes is also a strategy for how we cope with life. No matter which one we choose, the question is: Does it work? Does it help us to attain the real desired outcome? Does it work all of the time or only part of the time?

Why not make an appointment with your counselor and talk through how all this applies to you?