By Justin Norcutt | July 14, 2025
Today is a brand-new opportunity. One we didn’t earn with money or luck — it was given to us freely the moment we opened our eyes. And no matter what your circumstances are right now — halfway house, probation, transitional housing, or just waking up and feeling stuck — you’ve still got this one powerful gift: the ability to choose how you move forward today.
I’ve learned that happiness doesn’t come all at once. It’s not tied to some big event or major success. It starts small — with a decision. A decision to be present. A decision to show up. A decision to speak kindly to yourself when the negative thoughts creep in.
Today, I made that decision when I got out of bed and told myself, “You have purpose. You have value. And you are not who you used to be — you are who you choose to become.”
And the beautiful part is, you can say that too. You don’t have to wait until someone else believes in you. You just have to believe in you. Start this day with one simple action: write down one thing you’re proud of. Not something huge — maybe you stayed sober this week. Maybe you helped someone without expecting something back. Maybe you got up when life knocked you down.
Celebrate that.
Then ask yourself: What’s one step I can take today that future me will thank me for?
That step might be finishing a job application, reading for 30 minutes, exercising, or sending a text to someone you love. It doesn’t have to be big — it just has to be forward.
We are no longer defined by our worst mistakes. We are defined by our daily commitment to be better, live better, and love better.
Let’s walk forward — not in shame, but in strength.
One step at a time.
— Justin Norcutt
Prison Professors Talent Contributor
