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 me forever to find a way out.
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.
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. My eyes are open. I know where I am. It is my fault. I get out immediately.
IV. I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I walk around it.
V. I walk down another street.
~ Portia Nelson