"There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that's your own self."
This past week, I saw a play titled "The Castle" and was expecting it to be boring, but wow...I cried for the whole play and just walked out upset and shocked. I heard 4 ex-prisoners talk about their lives before prison, during prison, after prison...basically just everything about them. I realized that we judge so many people based on their situations, and sometimes, they can't really help what they go through and where they land. So 3 out of 4 grew up in a way that didn't allow them to grow and develop properly. They didn't know any better; therefore, they did bad things that landed them in jail. And then after that, when they were sent to certain corrective institutions, they were treated so badly that their anger just increased and they came out worse. Their lives just kept screwing up more and more because they couldn't live in society and they couldn't get help anywhere.
Each of them eventually were introduced to a place called The Castle that helped them change their lives. They were given help in many different ways, and more than that, they were taught how to fit into society again. After a long time, they were able to live their lives and today they all have families and are very happy people. They are also helping other people fit into society because they themselves know how difficult it is to get help.
So this got me thinking...why do things like this happen? It's not fair. It's not fair that their lives suck from the beginning and that that causes them to screw up more and that causes them to go to prison and that causes them to seek help...and what's not fair the most is that a lot of places are corrupt and don't really want to help, so it screws people up even more. WHY?!
Okay so another thing-one of the guys was like "I learned how to read and write in college" and another said "I worked on my college degree while I was there". Wow...how incredible! I guess this all just put a lot in perspective for me personally because I realized how much I should appreciate what I have in life. I have a family that supports me and guides me to do the right things. I go to a school that has so many resources for me. I have friends that are there for me and make sure I do what's right-I'm so lucky! And yet, I complain about so much. [I am saying "I" because I don't want to offend you, but I'm sure this also applies to many of you. Just saying.]
But here's another thing. How many times do we hear someone speak or watch something and think "wow, this puts life in perspective...I'm going to appreciate things more." I know that I've done that so often. So how do we keep that motivation and inspiration and gratitude in our lives? So this time, I contacted a prison outreach program and either this summer or in September, I will begin to volunteer a few hours a week at a corrective institution. I think that by going to a place and helping people learn how to read and write, learn simple math, etc. I will be reminded weekly and I will learn to appreciate more often. And more than that, I will just be able to help people...oh God that's a whole other topic. I just want to HELP the world. But we'll talk about that later. I just wanted to share with you one way that I hope to be more grateful in life.
So long. <3
This past week, I saw a play titled "The Castle" and was expecting it to be boring, but wow...I cried for the whole play and just walked out upset and shocked. I heard 4 ex-prisoners talk about their lives before prison, during prison, after prison...basically just everything about them. I realized that we judge so many people based on their situations, and sometimes, they can't really help what they go through and where they land. So 3 out of 4 grew up in a way that didn't allow them to grow and develop properly. They didn't know any better; therefore, they did bad things that landed them in jail. And then after that, when they were sent to certain corrective institutions, they were treated so badly that their anger just increased and they came out worse. Their lives just kept screwing up more and more because they couldn't live in society and they couldn't get help anywhere.
Each of them eventually were introduced to a place called The Castle that helped them change their lives. They were given help in many different ways, and more than that, they were taught how to fit into society again. After a long time, they were able to live their lives and today they all have families and are very happy people. They are also helping other people fit into society because they themselves know how difficult it is to get help.
So this got me thinking...why do things like this happen? It's not fair. It's not fair that their lives suck from the beginning and that that causes them to screw up more and that causes them to go to prison and that causes them to seek help...and what's not fair the most is that a lot of places are corrupt and don't really want to help, so it screws people up even more. WHY?!
Okay so another thing-one of the guys was like "I learned how to read and write in college" and another said "I worked on my college degree while I was there". Wow...how incredible! I guess this all just put a lot in perspective for me personally because I realized how much I should appreciate what I have in life. I have a family that supports me and guides me to do the right things. I go to a school that has so many resources for me. I have friends that are there for me and make sure I do what's right-I'm so lucky! And yet, I complain about so much. [I am saying "I" because I don't want to offend you, but I'm sure this also applies to many of you. Just saying.]
But here's another thing. How many times do we hear someone speak or watch something and think "wow, this puts life in perspective...I'm going to appreciate things more." I know that I've done that so often. So how do we keep that motivation and inspiration and gratitude in our lives? So this time, I contacted a prison outreach program and either this summer or in September, I will begin to volunteer a few hours a week at a corrective institution. I think that by going to a place and helping people learn how to read and write, learn simple math, etc. I will be reminded weekly and I will learn to appreciate more often. And more than that, I will just be able to help people...oh God that's a whole other topic. I just want to HELP the world. But we'll talk about that later. I just wanted to share with you one way that I hope to be more grateful in life.
So long. <3
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