Its a Habit
Do you sometimes have the feeling that you're running into the same obstacles over and over again? Many of my conflicts have the same feel to them, like "Hey, I think I've been here before," but I can't figure out how I wound up in the same place. The situation is different, but the conflict feels the same.
I first read this poem in "The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying" by Sogyal Rinpoche. When I "Googled" it, I found fourteen pages of links. It's clearly a favorite with many people; I know it speaks volumes to me.
"Autobiography in Five Chapters"
1) I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk
I fall in.
I am lost . . . I am hopeless.
It isn't my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.
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'm in the same place.
But it isn't my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.
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.
4) I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk
I walk around it
5) I walk down another street.
Does this feel familiar? I am ready to learn that lesson! I'm sure that I've changed. I can see that hole coming a mile away. This time it will be different. I still end up falling in. Tired, sad and angry, I drag myself up once again. What was I supposed to learn here? I thought I learned that the last time.
Some conflicts seem to take years to unravel, but if we stay tuned, and our purpose is to look with curiosity and awareness, we will find the moment when we can step around the hole.
As I write, thinking about a recent stumble of my own, I am smiling a bit. From a distance, I watch myself drop into the hole - one I know well - and it's kind of funny. And perhaps that is the way out - to laugh more often, to "love our mistakes," as my friend says. I've heard it said that eventually we will laugh at all our mistakes - the trick is to laugh sooner. When I can laugh as I climb out of the hole, I'm on my way to finding the route around it, or better yet, that alternate street.
© 2005 Judy Ringer, Power & Presence Training
About the Author: Judy Ringer is Founder of Power & Presence Training, specializing in unique workshops on conflict, communication, and creating a more positive work environment. Judy is also a black belt in aikido, and is writing her first book on the connection between aikido, conflict, and living a more purposeful life. To sign up for more free tips and articles like these, visit http://www.JudyRinger.com
Note: You're welcome to reprint this article as long as it remains complete and unaltered (including the 'about the author' info at the end).
 Google News Updated : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:51:42 GMT 'Dark Knight' Christian Bale's lady sidekick: Sibi Bale - Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times - Like the Dark Knight/Bruce Wayne, Christian Bale is a real-life man of mystery. Averse to personal publicity, he is well-known for not wanting to discuss his private life. Christian Bale, Wife "Solid" at Knight's Spain Premiere Bale attends 'Dark Knight' premiere in Spain Publ.Date : Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:54:18 GMT Review: 'Step Brothers' - 40-year-old goobers - San Francisco Chronicle San Francisco Chronicle - Step Brothers: Comedy. Starring Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly. Directed by Adam McKay. (R. 95 minutes. At Bay Area theaters. For complete movie listings and show times, and to buy tickets for select theaters, go to sfgate. Video: The Stars of 'Step Brothers' `Step Brothers' Ferrell, Reilly reunite as duo Publ.Date : Wed, 23 Jul 2008 22:39:58 GMT The night Karadzic rocked the Madhouse - guardian.co.uk
guardian.co.uk - A man plays a gusle in a bar called Madhouse in Belgrade, where war crimes suspect Radovan Karadzic is now known to have frequented. Video: Karadzic's arrest sparks clashes - 23 Jul 08 Arrest of Radovan Karadzic: Why Now and Who's Next? Publ.Date : Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:35:43 GMT Report: Eagles call Packers about Favre - SportingNews.com
SportingNews.com - While the Philadelphia Eagles are taking it easy with Donovan McNabb in training camp as he works his way back from a shoulder injury, that hasn't stopped them from going after some potential insurance. Winfield a Favre fan AP Source: Goodell monitoring Favre situation Publ.Date : Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:26:08 GMT Red alert! The cellphone warning has been issued - Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times - Now he's done it. Dr. Ronald B. Herberman, director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, has said what no one else would -- no cancer experts anyway. Pittsburgh Cancer Center Warns of Cell Phone Risks Cancer researcher warns about cell phone use Publ.Date : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:07:36 GMT Bloomberg, Gates pledge $375 mln against tobacco - Reuters
Reuters - By Christine Kearney NEW YORK, July 23 (Reuters) - New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) co-founder Bill Gates pledged $375 million on Wednesday to fight what they called a global tobacco ... Video: Gates, Bloomberg Pool Riches to Fight Smoking Bloomberg and Gates fight smoking Publ.Date : Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:11:25 GMT Hurricane Dolly Makes Landfall in Southern Texas (Update2) - Bloomberg
Bloomberg - By Demian McLean July 23 (Bloomberg) -- Hurricane Dolly was downgraded to a Category 1 storm as it made landfall today in southern Texas, where coastal residents weathered their first direct hit by a hurricane in almost a decade. Video: Dolly Pummels Texas Gulf Coast Dolly forces refining cuts, hits gas output Publ.Date : Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:36:26 GMT Rss Feed Reader |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... We often find ourselves in a situation in which we... Read More Do you remember that old television program that gave the... Read More January is almost over.Why do most New Year's Resolutions fail?By... Read More THOUGHTSJames Allen in his Book "As a Man Thinketh"says Mind... Read More There is a new television show, called Blind Justice that... Read More How many times have you made excuses for putting off... Read More If money is considered to be the root of all... Read More "Have you ever felt like you've become the worst possible... Read More Imagine for a moment that you are a champion. You... Read More Sarah Watson is a young woman who contracted HIV eleven... Read More Many professionals spend their entire careers working under managers or... Read More "Lord give me patience ? and hurry!"Have you ever prayed... Read More All of us have a vision of our own possibility.... Read More Building Energy Around your Investment!For a century or more men... Read More Very shortly, in this paragraph, I'm going to share with... Read More When was the last time you truly relaxed? Do you... Read More It's so difficult to go on when everything seems to... Read More Think about what you're doing each day and ask yourself... Read More When I was 8 years old, my parents let me... Read More Jules Vernes adventure story, Around the World in 80 Days,... Read More "We must be the change we wish to see in... Read More "Courage is being scared to death - but saddling up... Read More One of the keys to being successful in anything you... Read More We are all guilty of wanting to change our circumstances,... Read More Often times we procrastinate because it just seems like so... Read More
Adsense
websites
What Does Your Future Hold? Do You Have A Plan? Or Are You Just Waiting To See What Happens?
Do You Know Which Door To Open?
What is Your Challenge
Power Of The Mind
Choosing Your Vision
If Not Now, When?
Why Do We Need Our Addictions?
Motivation - How to Design a Life
What Makes a Champion?
Let It Fly Over Your Head
How To Be Motivated Without A Motivator
How To Become More Patient
How To Create A Dream
The Magic of Success is Actually a Law Set in Motion. Finding it is Quite Simple
Motivation: The Power of Asking
Self-care Isnt Being Selfish
4 Powerful Ways To Fire Up Your Motivation
Get Out of Your Comfort Zone - Before Its Too Late
Motivation: Small Changes, Big Results
Around The World On $80
Making the Invisible Visible: The WOW Behind the HOW!
Courage
Persistence
So What Is Your Real Motivation?
How Do I Stop Procrastinating?
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Rut Busting
IntroductionWordNet defines a rut as a groove or furrow (especially... Read More
The IDEAL Problem Solver
The IDEAL Problem Solver is an effective tool you can... Read More
The Power
I had a friend ask me a question not to... Read More
5 Forgotten Secrets to Beating Procrastination at Home
It's not easy to stay motivated and beat procrastination while... Read More
Five Great Ideas From Aristotle
It was Socrates who said that the purpose of philosophy... Read More
The Time to Act
Engaging in genuine discipline requires that you develop the ability... Read More
Hurry Up And Procrastinate
I've been meaning to write this column, but I keep... Read More
Fear
As you prepare to take your first steps, could there... Read More
Dismantle Self Imposed Limits
Round about us is an invisible box that we have... Read More
How to Exude More Confidence
Confidence: The word conjures up images of self-assurance and... Read More
Book Summary: Self Motivation
Gail Lindenfield is a well-known British author who has written... Read More
After the Big Project: Recovering From Success
My older daughter got married 10 days ago. The wedding... Read More
One Last Month to Make it Count!
Can you believe it, summer is almost over. Did you... Read More
10 Common Money And Success Myths ? Part 2
Here are a few commonly held beliefs, or "myths," that... Read More
The Power Of Purpose
The manifestations of motiveA man is captive within himself. He... Read More
Two Months, Two Actions: First Steps to Success
Susan stood on the scale the other day. She had... Read More
Who Is The Inner Critic?
The inner critic is that voice inside your head that... Read More
Motivation: 3 Powerful Quotes from Golfer Tiger Woods
I am not a golfer, unless you count an occasional... Read More
The Best Day Of My Life
Today, when I awoke, I suddenly realized that this is... Read More
ADHD - Its a Wonderful Life
As I usually do over the Holidays, I watched one... Read More
Keeping Perspective: When Bad Things Happen That Are Not Life Threatening
The very first thing to question is how important is... Read More
Productivity Engineering
Review: Productivity Engineering- A hypnosis program to help you improve... Read More
Anxiety & Panic ? Make Your Information Work for You
Whether you suffer from anxiety and panic attacks or not,... Read More
Unleash Your Unlimited Power
Your Non-Conscious Mind is 98% of your full power. Your... Read More
The Missing Piece
Have you ever tried putting a puzzle together, only to... Read More
Motivation |