Autobiography in 5 Chapters

By Portia Nelson
(A Lenten reflection on how to avoid temptation)

Chapter 1
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 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 am in the same place. But it isn’t my fault. It still takes a long time to get out.

Chapter 3
I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I see it is there. I fall in….it’s a habit But my eyes are open. I know where I am. It is my fault. I get out immediately.

Chapter 4
I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I walk around it.

Chapter 5
I walk down a different street.

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