Sometimes Progress Wears a Disguise

One of the kindest things we can do for ourselves is to become good at celebrating our progress. (I’ve written about this quite a few times because it is such a life changing skill and habit to develop.)

We want to be very generous in how we learn to define progress. For example, holding a grudge for a day can be great progress if you used to hold a grudge for a week. It is so important to see that as progress and celebrate it rather than getting down on yourself because you notice that you were holding a grudge.

Take a minute and reflect on the wisdom of these words from Portia Nelson. She understands progress. Progress is not – never falling into the hole again. It is getting out quicker.

a poem by Portia Nelson, published in her book
There’s a Hole in My Sidewalk: The Romance of Self-Discovery

Chapter I

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 II

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 III

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 fault.
I get out immediately.

Chapter IV

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

Chapter V

I walk down another street.

Much love,