Hello from Val and Jeanette. 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 and how our fear and anxiety transforms with developing awareness.
Fear and Anxiety Are Prolonged When We Don’t Take Responsibility
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.
Dissolving Fear and Anxiety
Comments by Val and Jeanette Logan: When we finally realize how we can change a repeating pattern that has not served us, we release fear and anxiety, and then we 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.
