The stages of recovery

bitter-cup:

Stage 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. 

Stage 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 this same place. But it isn’t my fault. It still takes a long time to get out. 
  
Stage 3: 
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…but my eyes are open. I know where I am. It is my fault. I get out immediately. 

Stage 4: 
I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I walk around it. 

Stage 5: 
I walk down a different street.