Bookmark Website  | Free Registration  | The Team
The Lounge  | Champions  | The Wire |  Schedule |  Audio  |  Arcade  |  The Top Ten  |  Historical  |  Email  |  Video

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:

The Canadian Press

Young Muslims find mission, motivation in group calling itself 30/30
The Canadian Press,  Mich. - 11 hours ago
DEARBORN, Mich. — They filled the cafe night after night. To the casual observer, it might have appeared to be a roomful of 20-somethings with enviable ...


Texans don't look far for motivation
Lewisville Leader, TX - 1 hour ago
By Cory J. Mageors Staff Writer Dallas Texans ‘92 Red players won’t have to look too far ahead to find motivation for winning at the US Youth National ...


A partner can be workout motivation
Riverview ThisWeek, Canada - 17 hours ago
Whether it's a training partner, a regular spotter or a personal trainer, having someone to support your body-reshaping efforts is often a good idea, ...


Haas implodes at Indy to hand success to Simon (1st Lead)
Monsters and Critics.com - 5 hours ago
Haas admitted that his motivation began draining away after losing a break to the 25th-ranked Simon in the ninth game of the second set, 4-5. ...


Young Detroit-area Muslims find mission, motivation in '30'
WTOL, OH - Jul 17, 2008
AP - July 17, 2008 4:54 PM ET DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) - Thirty young Detroit-area Muslim men and women met in a Dearborn cafe for 30 in an effort to find ways ...


The question of motivation
Deccan Herald, India - Jul 16, 2008
Learning difficulties, developmental delay, illness and stress may all lead to a lack of motivation. It is left to parents and teachers to find ways to ...


Motivating your employees during the credit crunch
SourceWire (press release), UK - Jul 17, 2008
With all the talk of down-turn and the impact it has on people, managers have to work even smarter to maintain the motivation of their colleagues. ...


The Greatest Loser: What's your motivation?
Joplin Globe, MO - Jul 16, 2008
“Being halfway through this thing, your motivation may be starting to get low,” said Steven Benfield, health and fitness director. “It’s time to re-energize ...


The motivation for blocking investigations into Bush lawbreaking
Salon - Jul 15, 2008
Harper's Scott Horton yesterday interviewed Jane Mayer about her new book, The Dark Side. The first question he asked was about the Bush administration's ...


USC program prepares students for college
Los Angeles Times, CA - 8 hours ago
... neighborhoods in the LA Unified district are attending USC SummerTIME (Tools for Information, Motivation and Education), a program started by Tierney. ...

Motivation - Google News


Advertisement



Section Site Map - Submit News - Feedback - Comments - Advertise with Us

Copyright 2006 Luminati Inc. All rights reserved.