Asteya – Non-Stealing and Generosity
May 14, 2012
Brahmacharya – Wise Use of Energy
June 2, 2012
Some of us are committed to constant self-improvement, as it’s a meaningful journey towards personal transformation. Breaking a habit isn’t always easy and if it involves change then an energizing catalyst always helps us take that first step.
Yesterday, during another empowering session with my own personal coach I was told a poem that really struck me. Finally something stuck. Of course, I’m only human and like everybody else I have my own self-limiting beliefs and behaviors that keep me from being the person I truly want to be. Recovering from bad habits and limiting behaviors can be a challenge—yet it’s possible. This poem highlighted my vulnerability while doing things over and over again and expecting different results.
There’s a Hole in My Sidewalk
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 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.
I consider this poem a perfect metaphor for my recovery from limiting beliefs and behaviors that degrade my self worth. Which habits have you been meaning to change?
Accepting ourselves as someone who is changing and growing is the first step. Next we need to learn from our mistakes and eliminate those repetitive plunges down the same hole in the same sidewalk. It’s unhealthy to do the same things over and over again and expect different results.
Having positive self worth is a valuable asset to combat that ever so familiar fall down the hole. To build self worth we can use affirmations, hand over accountability to someone else, and forgive ourselves. Collectively these steps can allows us to transform old habits and walk confidently down a new street.
Take Action. Transform. Thrive.
Birch, CPC, BSc.
Jordan@getoutofdoors.com
Jordan is a Certified Professional Life Coach living and working in greater Vancouver. His passions drive him to empower others to eliminate self-destructive and self-limiting behaviors so they can take action, transform, and thrive. In his private practice he fuses Transformational Life Coaching and a partnership with nature as a metaphor and medium for change.
Connect with Jordan:
www.getoutofdoors.com
www.facebook.com/getoutofdoors
twitter: getoutofdoors
