“Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” -Albert Einstein
Are you doing the same things, the same way, over and over again and expecting different results?
I stumbled across this poem, “There’s A Hole In My Sidewalk,” by Portia Nelson. The poem creates an analogy between life and a journey down a sidewalk. This made me think about the choices we make in life. How many times do we keep making choices that only lead us into the same “hole in the sidewalk?”
There’s A Hole In My Sidewalk
– by Portia Nelson
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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.
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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.
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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.
My eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault… I get out immediately.
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Chapter Four
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.
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Chapter Five
I walk down another street.
Portia Nelson (1920 – 2001) was a renaissance woman: author, singer, composer, lyricist, painter, photographer, and actress. Over the years she wrote the music and lyrics for many revues, television specials, and films. Portia authored the much-loved book “There’s a Hole in My Sidewalk: The Romance of Self-Discovery,” originally published in the 1970’s. There’s a Hole in My Sidewalk was made into a musical based on the book, and Portia directed, created the music and lyrics, and performed in the production at the York Theatre in Manhattan. This amazing poem has been praised by psychotherapists, metaphysicians, and legions of fans from every walk of life. It is used in numerous 12-step substance-abuse programs, and has been quoted in such diverse books as “The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying,” and the preface of “My Lives,” Roseanne’s best-selling autobiography. It also appears on a poster in Dr. Maguire’s office (Robin Williams) in the film Good Will Hunting (1997). John Gray, Ph.D., author of “Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus,” says: “There’s a Hole in My Sidewalk” explains in a simple and concise way, how life works. It is full of practical wisdom that will allow you to embrace and change your life.”
Are you doing the same things over and over again and expecting different results?
Life Lessons 