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).
Latest News
Dawgs digging deep to find last-game motivation Seattle Post Intelligencer - Finding motivation figures to be a challenge for a squad coming off a 16-13 double-overtime loss in its rivalry game. Willingham insisted he won't use his ... |
Irish Win Record 39th Straight at Home New York Times, United States - “We knew coming into this game that there was something to play for and that gave us a little extra motivation,” said McAlarney, who led the Irish with 32 ... |
 AFP | OPEC Cuts: A Barrel Of Laughs Forbes, NY - "The major motivation for sellers is the discounting of the OPEC decision," said Mike Fitzpatrick, vice president of MF Global, in a report, "but motivation ... Oil prices dive after OPEC holds output unchanged |
Chiefs provide Raiders true motivation to run Sacramento Bee, USA - "It gives us a little extra motivation to play for because when you have hard times, it's tough to find that extra motivation. We're playing at home against ... |
 NBC13.com | Where's the love for Alabama? Gainesville Sun, FL - You have to believe it's motivation for the Tide. "I guess you could say that," Alabama quarterback John Parker Wilson said. "But it's not something we've ... SEC CHAMPIONSHIP: Florida’s Harvin could miss game Florida Gators' Harvin improves, but enough to face Alabama? Transcript of Nick Saban conference call |
Vikings' view from above: exhilarating Minneapolis Star Tribune, MN - ... and I don't think those guys on that team want to be attached with not having a win. So that is a different kind of motivation, but nonetheless motivation." A moment to celebrate? |
 Bleacher Report | AU should have plenty of motivation Times-Journal, AL - Then again, the Tigers should take the field at Bryant-Denny Stadium with plenty of motivation. - With a win, Auburn will become bowl eligible. ... Iron Bowl is motivation for injured Auburn players Tide has been scouting Florida for awhile Tide, Tigers Have Different Motivations |
 Seattle Post Intelligencer | Motivation, Tebow and Percy-cution GatorCountry.com, FL - Percy Harvin turns on the jets and heads to the end zone against South Carolina/Gator Country Photo by Tim Casey. The year was 1968 and the fifth-ranked ... No. 2 Gators hammer rival FSU again, 45-15 Storming to Atlanta: No. 2 UF heads for showdown with No. 1 'Bama ... Tebow: The Ultimate Warrior |
Don't let motivation to conserve fall with fuel prices Bloomington Pantagraph, USA - When gasoline was selling for $4 a gallon there was greater motivation to address those problems, just as there was when the fuel crisis of the 1970s hit ... |
Disease is motivation, not obstacle, for Center Grove senior Indianapolis Star, United States - But I use that as a motivation to work harder and push myself through conditioning." That dedication is inspiring to others around him, Center Grove coach ... |
Resources
-
Affirmations goal setting software - Motivation & personal growth
Affirmation goal setting motivational software, for improved mental/physical health, personal growth.
-
Hypnosis Will Change Your Life
Featuring all hypnosis products by Steve G. Jones, the world
-
Productivity. Improve business productivity through work measurement and method study.
Set of resources to improve worker, workplace and office productivity. Learn to measure productivity, calculate a productivity index and construct a total factor productivity index. Resources include team productivity and employee productivity.
-
The Science of Success
The Science of Success is a simple guide to living a happier, richer, and more successful life.
-
Low Carb Diet Plans: Stop Cheating On Your Low Carb Diet!
Brand New Model Of Human Motivation Helps Dieters Stick To Their Diets!
-
The Motivated Mind - A Complete Guide to Personal Change
Motivation tips and techniques to help you achieve greater happiness and success.
-
Health-E-Meals.com - Quick and Healthy Recipes, Snacks, Fitness Tips, Motivation, Links.
Healthy Solutions for Your Busy Life. Health-E-Meals.com offers a free healthy cooking newsletter as well as other practical resources for making healthy living, eating and exercise a part of your busy life.
-
Super Tactics of Time Management Experts - Dave Saunders, The Time Management Guy
Learn from an expert in Time Management and develop personal techniques, tips and tools to help create the Motivation you need to follow through to your success.
-
Low Carb Motivation recipe ebook
low carb Motivation recipe ebook - lose weight and stay healthy. Low-cabr recipes.
-
Lacking Motivation ? Help Is Waiting For You
Lacking Motivation? Help is waiting