Today marks my one year of being in federal prison. Although this year has presented several challenges , I have remained committed to working to become a better person and work on myself each and every day . I have been working to build on skills that will help me be productive and contribute in a positive way when I return to society.
Since my arrival to prison I have completed the following Ace classes :
Beginners Electrician class
Energy leadership class
Investment class
Money Smart for Adults class
Seven Habits class
Beginners Drumming Recreational class
I have also completed a weight loss class ( I have lost 40 Lbs.. and am no longer needing to take insulin daily)
I am currently enrolled and currently participating in the following Ace classes :
Real Estate
Money Smart for Older Adults
Nutrition
Although I don’t qualify for FSA I am currently doing the following FSA classes:
Godley Living ( a Faith Based Program)
I am on the waiting list for
NRDAP( non residential drug abuse program)
Walk with ease
beginners Piano
I Have maintained a job first as the unit case managers clerk and now as the Unicor Warehouse Admin Clerk.
In addition I have completed forklift training certification and been certified in SAP at Unicor.
I have been working on a Buddhist Meditation Correspondence Course called Turning the Mind into an Ally from the Ratna Peace Initiative and The Nalandaboddhi Mind without Boarders Correspondence Course, the Sida Yoga in search of Self course. I have also started another course called Path of Freedom from the Prison Minfulness Institute. I contribute what I have learned and applied from these courses to the fact that I no longer take anti depressants and am able to work through my emotions and thoughts in a more efficient positive way.
In my spare time I have read several Books that include
Michael Santos – Earning Freedom
Eckhart Tolle- The Power of Now
Edgar Cayce – Companion
Sakyong Milpham – Turning the Mind into an Ally
Chogyam Trungpa -Shambala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior
RJ Spina- Supercharged Self Healing
Bo Lozoff- Were all doing time
Bo Lozoff- Deep and Simple
and others
The reoccurring Theme that i have seen in these books is one of hope and overcoming the challenges of life that we create for ourselves thru wrong thinking and wrong action. thru self mastery and discipline we can overcome the false ego and tune into our true creator self that in part of the source consciousness.
I have set some Goals for this year that include continuing to improve my physical and mental health. I am targeting reversing my type 2 diabetes and losing an additional 30-40 Lbs… i am applying to Adams State University to further my education and start working towards earning a bachelors degree. I plan on working the Michael Santos release plan workbook and the preparing for success after prison workbook. I will continue the further stages of coursework that I’m already involved in and continue to strive to lower my recidivism and continue to take classes that are offered at my institution. I also Hope to inspire and mentor others here at the prison to make positive changes and work toward the goals that they have set for Themselves. Ultimately I want to be the best I can be for my family and give back to the community. I refuse to let my past mistakes define my future.
Finally i have been focused on living in what i can accomplish in the the now instead of the past or future. A saying that i have come to repeat a lot to others is as follows:
“if you live in the Past – you live in depression of the i should have , could have , would have
if you live in the Future – you live in obsession of what you will do and want to do
if you live in the Now- you live in the gift which is why they call it the Present
