Time for a different street

I had a fabulous evening with a girl friend of mine (Michele) last night and she shared this with me. It fits well for where I am at in my life.

Life in Five Short Chapters
Excerpted from “There’s a Hole in My Sidewalk” by Portia Nelson

Chapter 1
I walked down the street and there is a big hole in the sidewalk and I fall in – I am lost. I am helpless. It isn’t my fault. It takes forever to find the way out.

Chapter 2
I walk down the same street and there is a big hole in the sidewalk; I pretend I don’t see it and 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.

Chapter 3
I walk down the same street and there is a big hole in the sidewalk; I see it is there and I still fall in. It is a habit, but my eyes are open and I know where I am. It is my fault and I get out immediately.

Chapter 4
I walk down the same street and there is a big hole in the sidewalk; I walk around it…

Chapter 5
I walk down a different street.

I was also thinking about what characteristics I want in a partner in the future. I don't feel like I'm ready to start dating seriously right in this moment, my heart is still healing, but what I have noticed before is that men come into my life when I least expect it and I feel the need to be clearer with myself, and the world, about what it is I want.

This is what I have thought about as of today. I want a man who:

- is a good communicator. Will sit and listen and seek to truly understand what I am saying and allow me to sit and listen with him.
- desires to better our relationship. When things go wrong, which they will, and we fight or get really upset with each other, I want a man who will be where I am in the sense of wanting to step back, out of our own ego's, and really dive into making our relationship awesome.
- will be a good husband and good father.
- has some good life experiences. This one is important because I feel like I have had some good, and often challenging, life experiences and it will be nice to be with someone else who has had some as well.
- is respectful, compassionate, kind, and honest.
- wants monogamy - at least while we build up a loving partnership. Who knows what the distant future will hold.
- has a peaceful, calm spirit
- attractive and connected with me sexually (on a deeply sexual level that brings in emotions, spirit, etc).

In the meantime...

I will continue on with working on me. I will continue on with my graduate studies, learning all I need to learn to better the world (one person at a time of course) through counseling. I will continue doing the best job I can in my work place. I will put my heart into the volunteer work I do. And I will devote time, attention, and love to myself, my family and my close friends.