Motivation Information

Its a Habit


Do you sometimes have the feeling that you're running into the same obstacles over and over again? Many of my conflicts have the same feel to them, like "Hey, I think I've been here before," but I can't figure out how I wound up in the same place. The situation is different, but the conflict feels the same.

I first read this poem in "The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying" by Sogyal Rinpoche. When I "Googled" it, I found fourteen pages of links. It's clearly a favorite with many people; I know it speaks volumes to me.

"Autobiography in Five Chapters"
1) I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk
I fall in.
I am lost . . . I am hopeless.
It isn't my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.

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'm in the same place.
But it isn't my fault.
It still takes 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.

Does this feel familiar? I am ready to learn that lesson! I'm sure that I've changed. I can see that hole coming a mile away. This time it will be different. I still end up falling in. Tired, sad and angry, I drag myself up once again. What was I supposed to learn here? I thought I learned that the last time.

Some conflicts seem to take years to unravel, but if we stay tuned, and our purpose is to look with curiosity and awareness, we will find the moment when we can step around the hole.

As I write, thinking about a recent stumble of my own, I am smiling a bit. From a distance, I watch myself drop into the hole - one I know well - and it's kind of funny. And perhaps that is the way out - to laugh more often, to "love our mistakes," as my friend says. I've heard it said that eventually we will laugh at all our mistakes - the trick is to laugh sooner. When I can laugh as I climb out of the hole, I'm on my way to finding the route around it, or better yet, that alternate street.

© 2005 Judy Ringer, Power & Presence Training

About the Author: Judy Ringer is Founder of Power & Presence Training, specializing in unique workshops on conflict, communication, and creating a more positive work environment. Judy is also a black belt in aikido, and is writing her first book on the connection between aikido, conflict, and living a more purposeful life. To sign up for more free tips and articles like these, visit http://www.JudyRinger.com

Note: You're welcome to reprint this article as long as it remains complete and unaltered (including the 'about the author' info at the end).


MORE RESOURCES:

Irish Win Record 39th Straight at Home
New York Times, United States - 16 hours ago
“We knew coming into this game that there was something to play for and that gave us a little extra motivation,” said McAlarney, who led the Irish with 32 ...


Chiefs provide Raiders true motivation to run
Sacramento Bee,  USA - Nov 30, 2008
"It gives us a little extra motivation to play for because when you have hard times, it's tough to find that extra motivation. We're playing at home against ...


New York Daily News

AU should have plenty of motivation
Times-Journal, AL - Nov 28, 2008
Then again, the Tigers should take the field at Bryant-Denny Stadium with plenty of motivation. - With a win, Auburn will become bowl eligible. ...
Iron Bowl is motivation for injured Auburn players Tuscaloosa News (subscription)
Tide has been scouting Florida for awhile Anniston Star (subscription)
Loss Will Linger Says McNeil BamaMag.com
Opelika Auburn News - Tuscaloosa News (subscription)
all 1,087 news articles


Don't let motivation to conserve fall with fuel prices
Bloomington Pantagraph,  USA - Nov 29, 2008
When gasoline was selling for $4 a gallon there was greater motivation to address those problems, just as there was when the fuel crisis of the 1970s hit ...


Seattle Post Intelligencer

Motivation, Tebow and Percy-cution
GatorCountry.com, FL - Nov 28, 2008
Percy Harvin turns on the jets and heads to the end zone against South Carolina/Gator Country Photo by Tim Casey. The year was 1968 and the fifth-ranked ...
No. 2 Gators hammer rival FSU again, 45-15 The Associated Press
Storming to Atlanta: No. 2 UF heads for showdown with No. 1 'Bama ... Independent Florida Alligator
Tebow: The Ultimate Warrior DawgsBite.com
Swamp Things - Gatorsports.com
all 945 news articles


Disease is motivation, not obstacle, for Center Grove senior
Indianapolis Star, United States - Nov 28, 2008
But I use that as a motivation to work harder and push myself through conditioning." That dedication is inspiring to others around him, Center Grove coach ...


Longmont Daily Times-Call

Colorado kicks itself after loss
Omaha World-Herald, NE - Nov 28, 2008
It's going to be hard to watch, but it's going to give us motivation to make sure it never happens again." Colorado (5-7, 2-6) looked bowl-ready after the ...
Buffs say heartbreak will be motivation Boulder Daily Camera (subscription)
'Angry' Buffs Stunned By Last-Minute Loss Nebraska StatePaper.com
Hypolite delivers for CU Daily Camera
all 17 news articles


Essence of a bargain is the urgency to sell
Atlanta Journal Constitution,  USA - 4 hours ago
It’s all about the motivation of the seller. The vast majority of sellers in any real estate market are, in my opinion, mostly testing the waters. ...


JON FRIEDMAN'S MEDIA WEB Murdoch, explained by Newser's Michael Wolff
MarketWatch - 7 hours ago
1) Murdoch's motivation and strategy are a constant source of fascination to Wolff, whose volume about the executive is appropriately titled, ...


HIGH SCHOOL HOOPS, REGION 4: Cougars use two-win season as motivation
Bowling Green Daily News,  United States - Nov 29, 2008
By WES WATT, For the Daily News RUSSELLVILLE — Don’t blame the Logan County boys’ basketball team if it wants to forget last season’s 2-25 campaign. ...

Motivation - Google News

home | site map
© 2006