As a bishop, I have the privilege of working with people who are struggling with addictions and other issues. Yesterday, someone shared this poem with me, and it rang my bell, loud.

I want to share it with you. It’s called “Autobiography in Five Short Chapters” by Portia Nelson. If you have ever struggled with any personal issue, I think it will grab you like it grabbed me. Here it is:

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 me 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.