An Empowering Space

Just wanted to share what I thought were two nuggets on the show Power of the Enneagram- Stepping Outside the box. It perfectly captures stepping out of the box and opening yourself up to a more expansive life and your essence.

Here’s the quote from Roberto Assagioli’s book Will:

I have thoughts, but I am not my thoughts.
I have feelings, but I am not my feelings.
I have a body, but I am not my body.

Then who am I?
I am consciousness and awareness,
and I am able to observe, direct and balance
my psychological processes and my actions.

The other one I was introduced to when studying to be Certified as a Coach and I have never forgotten it. I’m constantly looking to see where I am on the street or if I am going down a different street.  I look at my patterns and think “there’s that pothole again, and make a mental note to take a different turn next time.”

Autobiography in Five Short Chapters

By Portia Nelson

I

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.

II

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.

III

I walk down the same street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I see it is there.

I fall in . . . it’s a habit.

My eyes are open.

I know where I am.

It is my fault.

I get out immediately.

IV

I walk down the same street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I walk around it.

V

I walk down another street.