Once and Done

An awesome cleaning product that you do the floors once and you are done.   A magical cleaner that cleans and shines all at one passing.  Wouldn't it be cool if we could do that with our lives too.  Once and done that problem won't return.  Bummer...no Once and Done.  I noticed that the same problems keep coming back and back and back.  It almost becomes like an old friend coming back to visit.  But the old friend is not nice.  Last winter I did something different.  The same old problem popped up again.  I decided, "I am done now."  I explained to others the problem and told them, "I am done now."  But almost everyone acted as if I hadn't said anything or denied that what I said was true.  Then I put the "I am done now" into action.   I have felt the burden shrinking and shrinking like the Wicked Witch after Dorthy threw the water on Scare Crow to put out the fire.  The interesting thing about the story was Dorthy had no idea that the Witch could be destroyed with water.  Her intent was to save her friend, Scare Crow.  In the process, she dissolved her problem.  Then here came the real kicker.  She had the solution to her bigger problem all along right at her feet. 

I knew about counseling.  I was proud of my sister for going.  I knew my mother hadn't gone to counseling to the detriment of my teenage years.  It was there all along but I didn't know it would dissolve my problems.  But here is the kicker, the counselor helps me see that I had the solution all along.  The solution was right at my feet.  I just didn't know how to use it.  KavinCoach started the process with me first recognizing the problem.  Then I did the research about the problem.  Then I learned I had rights then I learned about boundaries. Now, I am implementing what I have learned.  I am noticing now that the problem I set down last January is shrinking.  I am noticing the changes.  I am more at peace.  One of my favorite poems I found in many different places.  Also used with AA.  I want to share it with you and a link to the Wikipedia about the author:

Autobiography in Five Short Chapters

 

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 still fall in ... it's a habit.
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 another street.

 

~ Portia Nelson ~ 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portia_Nelson 

 

(There's a Hole in My Sidewalk)

 

I am learning to choose another street.