If there is one thing I know a lot
about, it is overcoming adversity and regaining my self-esteem and self-confidence, in order to go forward with my life,
and take it to the next level by
helping others.
I spent six years behind bars for
robbery from 1998-2004, which were a direct result of my
past addictions to alcohol, drugs and gambling, and while incarcerated, became
very introspective in my surroundings, and wrote "Jew in Jail" as I
was doing my time.
Realizing that short of a successful
criminal appeal, I wasn't going to be a free man until my sentence had been fully served, I decided
right then and there to use this down time in my life to take stock of myself, and make the necessary changes I
would need to go on and become a
productive member of society upon my eventual release.
I proceeded to develop and stick to a
daily routine that consisted of working out, eating healthy (which, in a prison setting, was a
challenge in and of itself), learning the computer, tutoring inmates in the school, working on my
legal issues in the law library, and attending hundreds upon hundreds of Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous,
Gamblers Anonymous meetings, and
other self-help type programs too, all which aided immensely in addressing the
very reasons why I ended up
behind bars in the first place.
Plus, of course, writing my book,
"Jew in Jail," any chance I could find some free time as well!
This routine enabled me to keep focused,
and stay busy each and every single day.
In other words, I did my best to
maintain as normal a life as I could while incarcerated, knowing that I
wouldn't be there forever.
It certainly wasn't easy doing so in a
prison environment, in which everyone else there isn't on the same page, as far as their commitment
to change is concerned.
However, through sheer perseverance and
dedication, I came home from prison a much
better man than who I was when I went
in, and now feel blessed and grateful to be able to help not only other addicts, but anyone else who might not feel like
they are living up to their full
potential.
I no longer take life for granted,
including such simple things as a beautiful sunny day, seeing children playing
and having fun in the park, or anything in nature or the animal world that
always fascinated me to begin with.
In a nutshell, life is great, and having
a clear conscience and the ability and desire to help other human beings is priceless!
I want everyone who reads this to know
that, no matter what they may have done wrong in life - whether they have been
caught and punished or not - we are all human, and are prone to mistakes.
But, by no means should you ever be
ashamed of who you are, because life is full of lessons that last forever.
We all possess greatness, and it is up
to each and every one of us to seek out what area ours is in.
It could be singing, dancing, writing,
fashion, automobile mechanic, public service, accounting, athletics, or whatever the case may be.
The point is to look into oneself,
perhaps make a list of all the things we think we have greatness in or have been told by others that we do,
and then focus on how we can make a difference in the world, one person at a time.
With Thanksgiving and the holiday season
still in our rear-view mirrors, now is the perfect opportunity to implement our
plans to be the best person we could possibly be.
Spending six years behind bars was the
impetus I needed to get me into the proper mindset to live my life the way I
have always known I should.
Hopefully, reading about this "Jew
in Jail," and realizing that you definitely possess greatness, and can do
and achieve anything you put your mind to, is the thing that will start you on
the road to success.
It all starts with you!
~
What a
powerful message from an insightful author. If you like what you see here,
please return on Friday for the interview of Gary Goldstein and have a chance
to get to know this author and speaker a little better.
