The Repetitious Faults of Self

Chapters of My Life

Chapter 1:  I walked down the sidewalk and fell into a deep hole.  I couldn't get out and I couldn't figure out why.  It wasn't my fault.  It took a long time to get out.

Chapter 2:  I walked down the sidewalk and fell into the same hole again.  I couldn't understand.  It wasn't my fault.  I really had to struggle to get out.

Chapter 3:  I walked down the sidewalk and fell into the same hole again.  This time I understood why, and it was my fault.  This time it was easier to get out.

Chapter 4:  I walked down the sidewalk and saw the same big hole.  I walked around it.  I didn't fall into that hole.

Chapter 5:  I chose another sidewalk.

-- Portia Nelson, writer

A social worker at the medical center dropped by the chaplain's office and thought I might find Portia Nelson's The Chapters of My Life of interest.  I read it and laughed.  I told her that it was, obviously, incomplete.  Portia, like many of us, would seem to be either thick as a brick... or blind.  It took her falling in the same hole three times to finally realize she was a dumbass and would be better served walking around said hole.  And then, when she finally learns the lesson, she chooses a new sidewalk for which, we can only assume, she doesn't know the location of any holes she has already shown a propensity for falling into.  I suppose the good news would be, should she fall into another hole, she will continue to recognize her propensity and, hopefully, start keeping her eyes on the path ahead of her.  

Her issue would seem to be the risk of "falling" victim to her own repetitious faults of self and, for those intelligent among us, we can mitigate this risk of repeating our faults by our acknowledgment that we, alone, are responsible for them.  But, if you haven't learned how to use a compass to show you the direction on your current path, why would you consider risking the dangers of an unknown path or blazing a new one through the wilderness?  In the case above, after three falls into the hole, I would certainly wait until day eight or nine, until I proved I could sidestep the hole at least three more times... in a row, before I felt confident enough to claim the ability of good sense and feel safe changing sidewalks.  Just saying.

Editor's Note 

(re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card) 

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider another viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and then engaging in peaceful, constructive, discussion in an arena of mutual respect concerning the opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience, and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 23 years with United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with an Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects in pharmaceutical research.  Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, to wage his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteers as Chaplain Program Liaison, at a regional medical center.