The number 5 symbolizes God’s grace, goodness, and favor toward humanity.
Our beliefs and ways of thinking often keep us stuck. We keep doing the same things and keep experiencing the same limited results. The following story by Portia Nelson, author of There is a Hole in My Sidewalk: The Romance of Self Discovery illustrates this truth well. It is one of the greatest examples I have ever seen on the importance of self-awareness & self-esteem.
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 me 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.
One area where I “walked down the same street” for a long time was in the area of my self care. I used food as a reward for a hard day’s work but damaged my body in the process. Since January 2019, I have been “walking down a different street” by moving into my own place, hiring an accountability partner, eating primarily fruits and veggies, and exercising regularly at least 30 minutes a day. I have lost close to 50 pounds.
In what area(s) of your life are you “walking down the same street”? Share your thoughts below.