Words by Te-Erika
If you are sitting at home and you have no idea how to get started with turning your life around, try these four building blocks which will guide you into your most wonderful life after incarceration.
If you are sitting at home and you have no idea how to get started with turning your life around, try these four building blocks which will guide you into your most wonderful life after incarceration.
Make It Right
You may have spent some time “away” but during that period you have had plenty of time to reminisce over your past mistakes and triumphs. You may have often said to yourself, “If I could (insert situation) over again, I would.”
Now is your chance!
Take a minute and write down all of those would have/should have/could haves. What mistakes can you correct? Who are the people that you have wronged? What character traits have you developed that will allow you to react and interact differently than in the past?
Turn this list into a “do right” list and check off each item as you move through your past and make amends. If there is a situation that you can’t correct, counteract that action by being a blessing to someone in your life right now.
Recognize Your Growth
There’s no time to waste crying over spilled milk. You’re FREE! It’s time to do it BIG! Take a stroll through your old neighborhood and notice how much things have changed. New buildings. New kids riding bikes down the street. New businesses. New people.
At the same time, take stock of those changes you will make in your life. You’ve noticed growth in your environment and if you take a close look, you will notice that you’ve grown too.
If you want the same result you’ve had in your past you will do the same things you were doing in the past. If you want a different, ending you must choose a new beginning.
You may have spent some time “away” but during that period you have had plenty of time to reminisce over your past mistakes and triumphs. You may have often said to yourself, “If I could (insert situation) over again, I would.”
Now is your chance!
Take a minute and write down all of those would have/should have/could haves. What mistakes can you correct? Who are the people that you have wronged? What character traits have you developed that will allow you to react and interact differently than in the past?
Turn this list into a “do right” list and check off each item as you move through your past and make amends. If there is a situation that you can’t correct, counteract that action by being a blessing to someone in your life right now.
Recognize Your Growth
There’s no time to waste crying over spilled milk. You’re FREE! It’s time to do it BIG! Take a stroll through your old neighborhood and notice how much things have changed. New buildings. New kids riding bikes down the street. New businesses. New people.
At the same time, take stock of those changes you will make in your life. You’ve noticed growth in your environment and if you take a close look, you will notice that you’ve grown too.
If you want the same result you’ve had in your past you will do the same things you were doing in the past. If you want a different, ending you must choose a new beginning.
Upgrade Your Expectations
You’re no longer inside a cell. You’re no longer confined to certain spaces and mandated activities. As you look up in the sky, you’ll notice that there are nothing blocking your view of the heavens.
Close your eyes and imagine yourself flying high. Fly high above your circumstances, high above those negative influences, high above the fear in your heart.
Begin to visualize your perfect life. Don’t limit yourself. Your expectations for your life’s happiness will manifest themselves without delay. If you imagine lack and struggle that is exactly what you receive. Change our expectations and you will begin to see things as though they line up with your expectations. If you continue to expect people to reject your or judge you, you’re subconsciously looking for signs of rejection and judgment and any little expression may be falsely interpreted as such.
When you learn to expect the best, you will receive the best. Although this may seem like hot air, you won’t really know if it will work, unless you try.
You’re no longer inside a cell. You’re no longer confined to certain spaces and mandated activities. As you look up in the sky, you’ll notice that there are nothing blocking your view of the heavens.
Close your eyes and imagine yourself flying high. Fly high above your circumstances, high above those negative influences, high above the fear in your heart.
Begin to visualize your perfect life. Don’t limit yourself. Your expectations for your life’s happiness will manifest themselves without delay. If you imagine lack and struggle that is exactly what you receive. Change our expectations and you will begin to see things as though they line up with your expectations. If you continue to expect people to reject your or judge you, you’re subconsciously looking for signs of rejection and judgment and any little expression may be falsely interpreted as such.
When you learn to expect the best, you will receive the best. Although this may seem like hot air, you won’t really know if it will work, unless you try.
Share Your Wisdom
There are certain life lessons that you will only learn by going through them. Others can be shared if the individual you are sharing with has an open mind and is receptive to what you are sharing.
If you truly believe that the incarcerated life was a negative experience, you will do whatever you can to ensure that those who are headed in your direction will make different choices.
You made it through that situation and you have the responsibility to guide others away from it. Visit your local recreation center and offer to teach younger teens about the pitfalls of their lifestyle. Allow your life to be a warning signal for theirs.
Proudly become that role model you always knew you were. The positivist that you send out into the world will be returned to you even more abundantly than you could ever imagine.
