The fault lies in denial.

Denial will trip us up every time.

The first four attempts are the lessons that will bring us to a successful conclusion—take another path.

Ready to join me in a victory lap?

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.

hole-in-sidewalk

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 me a long time to get out.

 

3. 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.

 

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

 

5. I walk down another street.”

 

― Portia NelsonThere’s a Hole in My Sidewalk: The Romance of Self-Discovery

 

The perverse travel a dangerous road, potholed and mud-slick; if you know what’s good for you, stay clear of it (Proverbs 22:5 MSG).