Friday, July 8, 2011
Saturday, January 15, 2011
The Fact About Who We Are.
For all of "us" who get out of jail or prison, it can be humiliating to face the world. After all society and the criminal justice system branded us unfit to remain in society, and shaking that off and moving forward when our sentences have reached the end is a big step. But it is a step we must all take.
It doesn't matter what you have done in your life.
What matters is what you do with the choices you make today, and every day from this point forward. It's all about choices, and probably the most important choice I can make today is perceiving the image of who I am.
For a long time I used to believe that I was a criminal; an armed robber, thief, menace to society. After all my choices reflected those types of labels and it was a very big stumbling block for moving forward and changing. Then something happened, something very profound, and my life has never been the same.
I was in a group session for intensive outpatient treatment for alcohol and drug abuse. and I was explaining how difficult it was for me to find a job. I stated, "I can't find a job because I'm an armed robber," and instantaneously the counselor responded to me, "I'm sick of hearing that crap! An armed robbery is something you did, its not who you are." It was at that point that I realized my actions don't necessarily always dictate who I am -- especially if I no longer act that way.
If you've taken positive steps to change you behaviors, then your past is just that. Although society may not want to let your criminal past go, and it's important to remember your past so you don't re-live it, the fact is that YOU must know in your heart that you are no longer a criminal. Your past is the choices you made. When you adopt this attitude about yourself your future will shine with hope.
In some instances this class of people are correct because the sad fact is that many criminals are simply that -- criminals! For whatever reason they have chosen a path of criminality through learned behaviors and most of their lives have been dedicated to this antisocial behavior. They have been in and out of jails and correctional facilities for most of their lives and will likely continue in their pattern of behavior because they believe that there are no other options...
Contrary to the belief of many, there are individuals who do commit crimes to support their addiction(s). Absent this element they are productive members of society who hold jobs, pay taxes, and have children and families. But somewhere along the line their addiction to drugs and alcohol spiraled out of control and they did things that they normally would never even consider! No matter what, the "criminal" label will always be a part of our lives, but as long as we keep those behaviors in our past they move further and further away from who we are.
Remember. Today we have a choice to dictate who we are.
Our past is not who we are, its what we did!
It doesn't matter what you have done in your life.
What matters is what you do with the choices you make today, and every day from this point forward. It's all about choices, and probably the most important choice I can make today is perceiving the image of who I am.
For a long time I used to believe that I was a criminal; an armed robber, thief, menace to society. After all my choices reflected those types of labels and it was a very big stumbling block for moving forward and changing. Then something happened, something very profound, and my life has never been the same.
I was in a group session for intensive outpatient treatment for alcohol and drug abuse. and I was explaining how difficult it was for me to find a job. I stated, "I can't find a job because I'm an armed robber," and instantaneously the counselor responded to me, "I'm sick of hearing that crap! An armed robbery is something you did, its not who you are." It was at that point that I realized my actions don't necessarily always dictate who I am -- especially if I no longer act that way.
If you've taken positive steps to change you behaviors, then your past is just that. Although society may not want to let your criminal past go, and it's important to remember your past so you don't re-live it, the fact is that YOU must know in your heart that you are no longer a criminal. Your past is the choices you made. When you adopt this attitude about yourself your future will shine with hope.
In some instances this class of people are correct because the sad fact is that many criminals are simply that -- criminals! For whatever reason they have chosen a path of criminality through learned behaviors and most of their lives have been dedicated to this antisocial behavior. They have been in and out of jails and correctional facilities for most of their lives and will likely continue in their pattern of behavior because they believe that there are no other options...
Contrary to the belief of many, there are individuals who do commit crimes to support their addiction(s). Absent this element they are productive members of society who hold jobs, pay taxes, and have children and families. But somewhere along the line their addiction to drugs and alcohol spiraled out of control and they did things that they normally would never even consider! No matter what, the "criminal" label will always be a part of our lives, but as long as we keep those behaviors in our past they move further and further away from who we are.
Remember. Today we have a choice to dictate who we are.
Our past is not who we are, its what we did!
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