Picking up steam

Our class discussion and activity got rolling a bit.
We talked a bit about how we know things are wrong or right. Then we talked about what success means and is. I had the opportunity to tell them that personal goals are not always the best way to establish and gauge success. (I pursued the same goal for 10 years, to no avail, so I had to reconsider many things about myself.) I turned that to a discussion about contentment. I think they were at least curious about what I was saying.

Then we read a poem...
Autobiography in Five Chapters
By Portia Nelson

Chapter 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.

Chapter 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'm in the same place, but it isn't my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.

Chapter III
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 IV
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.

Chapter V
I walk down another street.

This got them going, and allowed a discussion about personal responsibility, learning, etc. A good day, overall.