Jarrod Copeland
55179-509
Lompoc FCI 1 LOW
It has been awhile since my last update mainly due to my time going into the novel I am currently writing. I have successfully completed ServSafe management and received my certification and continue to teach my Automotive ACE class every week. I have completed Money Smart, which was a recommendation from my unit team. I have also completed the Preparing For Success After Prison workbook(PSAP) and this is an entry on my take away from it.
After my arrest I only had one option. Let the boy die so the man could live. As dramatic as that statement seems, it is absolutely accurate. I had let the foolish boy take charge instead of heading the better judgment of the man. I could go on and on about why and what led to my ultimate downfall, but that’s for another story. I chose to not let this unfortunate event become my legacy. I chose to not let my past define me, so when I say I had only one option, I mean that the alternative was to give up. I have an amazing wife that gave me her heart and continues to love me. She sees the man despite the actions of the boy. Everything I do is ultimately for her and our future. A transformation had to occur if I am to come out of this anything other than a statistic. This course helped me to stay focused on the steps needed to stay on the right path. The path that will keep me determined to be resilient. I soon realized that my greatest adversary was me. I knew that I had to shift my paradigm in order to stay persistent on my goal of becoming successful after my release from prison.
Actions plans lead to success. These steps will ultimately allow me to pivot from struggle to prosperity. I have continuously held myself accountable and with the help of this course I understand the importance to set clear attainable goals. In order to be successful I must follow principled steps. First I must identify values that define success. Then I will set clear goals that adhere to my values. I must maintain a positive attitude and focus on visualizing the success that I will become. I will take small action steps each day and set timelines to measure my progress. Last, I will stay aware of opportunities so that more people will become aware of my commitment.
Early on during my confinement in Santa Rita county jail, I knew that I had to make choices that would place me outside the ‘norm’. By that I mean that I wouldn’t get involved with what goes on around me. The phrase ‘When in Rome’ I had to discard. With my life, liberty, and future at stake, I chose to look toward my life after release from prison. I steered myself towards the mindset that I must earn my freedom. To do this I had to seek first to understand, then to be understood. Meaning that I had to put myself into the shoes of those that will potentially have say over my liberty. In order to accomplish this, I had to hold myself accountable first. I had to take responsibility for my actions, decisions, and also the consequences that followed. With accountability, I am able to develop self-awareness, learn from my mistakes, and make positive life changes. This will ultimately lead to personal growth. I will reflect on my actions, accept responsibility, learn from my mistakes, set clear goals, and seek support.
I understand the importance of influencing how people perceive me. I remain focused on my goals so that the ‘stakeholders’ can see my resilience. I created a business plan while awaiting sentencing as I sat in county jail. I took an Intro to Entrepreneurship self study course which allowed me to create a business plan for my own automotive repair shop that I plan on starting when I am released. I have been in the automotive industry for nearly twenty years now and have held almost every position. I have held onto this goal as a driving force to keep me focused on my life outside of these walls. Along with the daily encouragement from my beautiful wife and the determination to keep to my release plan, I use it as my compass to ensure my re-entry into society as a successful contributing member. My rearview mirror is off as I look towards my future.
Thank you and God bless.
