Reflection - A start!

First Published 1 July, 2011

After my last message many asked me how do I reflect?

For those of you who like to make a start on self-reflection I would like to introduce you to this wonderful poem by Portia Nelson.

You can just read the poem for what it is and reflect upon it. If you need some useful pointers you can find them at the awakenings web site. I have provided the hyperlinks under each chapter.

The nature of everything is illusory and ephemeral. But, despite this self acknowledged wisdom we treat everything as permanent including our self. And, so we build our self over a lifetime or some may like to think many lifetimes. And we reflect on our experiences - we think therefore we are. And if you look closely you will find that we allow old habits and set patterns to dominate everything we are and we do. We are completely enslaved by them, all of the "unimportant" things, the routines that we consider our responsibilities, from the time we get up each morning. We have a stressful regime that continues to shape us. We need to break free and emerge from them or be condemned to them. Now, if we can have this realization, that's a start.

Start by making life simple and let go!

THERE'S A HOLE IN MY SIDEWALK
Autobiography in Five Short Chapters
By Portia Nelson
Click on a chapter heading to learn more.

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 fault.
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.

The book makes good reading and reflection. I have provided the link to Amazon so you can have a peek at it.