The Secret of Your Success!
By · CommentsDo you really want to know the secret of your success? I will tell you a secret about yourself that you may not have known. If only I had known this secret when I first started out in life, I would have saved myself much suffering. And maybe because I was young and foolish I would not have listened. So, YOU be the judge. Will you listen or will you brush it aside and pay no more attention? Behold what you are about to hear! May these words benefit those of you who have ears to hear and eyes to see.
This secret is disguised in one of Sherazad’s stories from 1001 Arabian Nights. She tells of an old poor fisherman who goes out one day to cast his net upon the waters four times and only four times. The first time he cast his net he pulled up the remains of a donkey. The second time he netted a pitcher full of dirt. The third time he netted shards of pottery and glass. On the fourth time he called upon the name of God and cast his net. Read More→
The Process of Change
By · CommentsHello from Val and Jeanette. Welcome to our first Blog! We are new to this platform and will need some time to get oriented to it. Please check back later. We plan to make more posts as time rolls along. For now, here is one of our favorite little stories. We believe that stories are one of the best, most enjoyable forms of learning. Through metaphor, stories evoke images and emotions that help us with our own personal growth. They can actively engage our imagination, which is the doorway to our natural genius. In her following story, Portia Nelson so beautifully describes the process of change.
Autobiography in Five Short Chapters by Portia Nelson (link to book below)
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.
Chapter Two: I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I pretend that I don’t see it. I fall in again. I can’t believe I am in this same place. But, it isn’t my fault. It still takes a long time to get out.
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…but, my eyes are open. I know where I am. It is my responsibility. I get out immediately.
Chapter Four: I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I walk around it.
Chapter Five: I walk down another street.
Comments by Val and Jeanette: When we finally realize how we can change a repeating pattern that has not served us, we then experience the satisfaction of a well earned freedom. However, a lot of times our patterns are so engrained and automatic that we don’t see exactly what we’re doing and where we’re going. Consider having an experienced guide shine light on your path so you can more easily correct your course as need be. When this happens, life becomes more of a fun adventure.
There’s a Hole in My Sidewalk by Portia Nelson: More information at Amazon.com
A wonderful collection of insights into love and life. Contains the classic “Autobiography in Five Short Chapters.”
