On 1/29/17 Kev writes:
Most of us move so fast through life and never stop to listen to the wind...Sometimes that voice we have been searching for is a whisper in the wind....
Learning to find serenity and live life on life's terms has become an essential part of my recovery process. Being incarcerated has taught me about the meaning of true patience....
Most spiritual principles coincide with one another...patience breeds acceptance which then in turn breeds serenity. I have learned that true compassion is about being able to care about the next man's suffering. I think in our society we tend to focus on the negative traits in people, but fail to try to understand just how those negative traits came about. Unfortunately we cannot make everyone happy, but we can share happiness and inject hope into our society....sharing core values and reflecting positive traits is a demonstration of unconditional love and is allows us to show that by caring for our neighbor's well-being we not only create better communities but a better world.
We must not be clouded by cultural divide, but be united by one undeniable fact and that is that we are all the same. Our collective conscious is the life force we must use to produce change.
I feel most of us have a hard time believing in something greater than ourselves...if this is the case for any of you out there reading this, try believing in each other!
Together we are a force greater than ourselves! Let us all be whispers in the wind and carry the seeds of hope!
Read, comment! Reflect hope, love and strength!
Today's positive affirmation: Together we are the force that drives the rain through the leaves, and life to new seeds.
Monday, January 30, 2017
Friday, January 27, 2017
Prisons
On 1/26/17 Kevin writes, I type......
Honesty has become one of the most important core values in my new way of life. Living by a code of honesty allows us to gain a true understanding of ourselves. Honesty breeds acceptance. As I've told you all before, I am a grateful recovering addict. I am currently writing this from Noble Correctional Institution. I have been incarcerated close to two years now and I am in the process of serving a five year sentence. I am blessed to be where I am today. I allowed my addiction to heroin to take me to some very dark places and if I had not been arrested when I had, I would most likely be dead.
Since I've been incarcerated, I've decided to dedicate myself to a new way of life through a twelve step recovery program. I use daily maintenance as a way to hold my emotions, thinking and actions accountable. I work the steps with an outside sponsor and I dedicate myself to helping others. I am working towards starting a recovery-based business, and using this blog to reach out to those in need of help. I am attempting to build a recovery network that will hopefully become a part of a greater movement in the near future. My greatest ambition and drive is to become a part of the solution in regards to the many social issues we face in our society. I refuse to become a statistic, and understand the keys to freedom come from within.
I was already inside an emotional, mental and spiritual prison before reaching the confines of an actual physical prison. Our hearts and minds can become the most dangerous prisons we ever have to face. They are able to hold us back from our true potential and leave us in a stagnant state of existence. As I said above, the keys to freedom lie within ourselves. We must be able to face our own reflection and honestly accept our shortcomings. Being able to let go of my past transgressions has allowed me to accept myself. I practice personal accountability through a rigorous routine of self- assessment and daily meditation. I share my positive experiences with others in order to gain a greater insight within myself. I facilitate positive programming for other inmates like myself and chair my own twelve step meetings to give back what I've gained through my own process. This type of service work is beneficial not only for those I share it with but also towards my own personal growth. I think sometimes that we feel one person does not have the ability to change the whole world but that is not the case. One person's actions are able to cause a ripple effect....What waves can you make?
If we are able to share one positive thing to the next man on a daily basis we can change the overall landscape in our society and world. My mission is to be a catalyst for others to want to change the world around them. We must be able to surrender our pride to be a benefit to others. It starts with one person helping the next and causes a chain reaction that will end up affecting millions. When we stand together undivided-we become stronger together.
When you read my posts not only do I want you to provide positive commentary...I want you to share your own experience with the next person by being the creative, innovative beautiful people I know you all can be. Don't just use words to reflect the way you share this blog..be creative and ambitious! We need to have the courage to speak out in a positive manner...Realize that negativity and violence provides no solution for the problems we face in this world. Our greatest hope lies in developing a deep connection with one another on a social level. I will continue to stress the fact that community based problems need community based solutions. We must create a community that shares hope, strength and positivity.
I am excited to see the reaction we are able to create together. We do this by sharing our experience to the next person struggling. If we are able to reach just one person each..that one person will have the chance to reach the next person. Help me to create a movement that will benefit our world in a positive manner. We are the MIRRORS reflecting hope! You are accepted no matter what! As we surrender our fear, anger and pride....we begin to accept each other. Our hearts, minds and hands connect to a world worth living in. We can share a better future by becoming a better people.
Today's positive affirmation: Let my reflection be an image of hope for all those who suffer in this world.
Honesty has become one of the most important core values in my new way of life. Living by a code of honesty allows us to gain a true understanding of ourselves. Honesty breeds acceptance. As I've told you all before, I am a grateful recovering addict. I am currently writing this from Noble Correctional Institution. I have been incarcerated close to two years now and I am in the process of serving a five year sentence. I am blessed to be where I am today. I allowed my addiction to heroin to take me to some very dark places and if I had not been arrested when I had, I would most likely be dead.
Since I've been incarcerated, I've decided to dedicate myself to a new way of life through a twelve step recovery program. I use daily maintenance as a way to hold my emotions, thinking and actions accountable. I work the steps with an outside sponsor and I dedicate myself to helping others. I am working towards starting a recovery-based business, and using this blog to reach out to those in need of help. I am attempting to build a recovery network that will hopefully become a part of a greater movement in the near future. My greatest ambition and drive is to become a part of the solution in regards to the many social issues we face in our society. I refuse to become a statistic, and understand the keys to freedom come from within.
I was already inside an emotional, mental and spiritual prison before reaching the confines of an actual physical prison. Our hearts and minds can become the most dangerous prisons we ever have to face. They are able to hold us back from our true potential and leave us in a stagnant state of existence. As I said above, the keys to freedom lie within ourselves. We must be able to face our own reflection and honestly accept our shortcomings. Being able to let go of my past transgressions has allowed me to accept myself. I practice personal accountability through a rigorous routine of self- assessment and daily meditation. I share my positive experiences with others in order to gain a greater insight within myself. I facilitate positive programming for other inmates like myself and chair my own twelve step meetings to give back what I've gained through my own process. This type of service work is beneficial not only for those I share it with but also towards my own personal growth. I think sometimes that we feel one person does not have the ability to change the whole world but that is not the case. One person's actions are able to cause a ripple effect....What waves can you make?
If we are able to share one positive thing to the next man on a daily basis we can change the overall landscape in our society and world. My mission is to be a catalyst for others to want to change the world around them. We must be able to surrender our pride to be a benefit to others. It starts with one person helping the next and causes a chain reaction that will end up affecting millions. When we stand together undivided-we become stronger together.
When you read my posts not only do I want you to provide positive commentary...I want you to share your own experience with the next person by being the creative, innovative beautiful people I know you all can be. Don't just use words to reflect the way you share this blog..be creative and ambitious! We need to have the courage to speak out in a positive manner...Realize that negativity and violence provides no solution for the problems we face in this world. Our greatest hope lies in developing a deep connection with one another on a social level. I will continue to stress the fact that community based problems need community based solutions. We must create a community that shares hope, strength and positivity.
I am excited to see the reaction we are able to create together. We do this by sharing our experience to the next person struggling. If we are able to reach just one person each..that one person will have the chance to reach the next person. Help me to create a movement that will benefit our world in a positive manner. We are the MIRRORS reflecting hope! You are accepted no matter what! As we surrender our fear, anger and pride....we begin to accept each other. Our hearts, minds and hands connect to a world worth living in. We can share a better future by becoming a better people.
Today's positive affirmation: Let my reflection be an image of hope for all those who suffer in this world.
Undivided Attention
1/24/17...Kevin writes:
I see hope in the flowers blooming between the cracks in the pavement. Our young people are the seeds of our species. They need our UNDIVIDED attention. The only way to break the cycle of our past mistakes is by creating a new wheel. When we look into our children's eyes, we should always desire the best parts of us to be what is reflected. Our children experience our experiences, failures and successes. They emulate our very being. As a society we tend to forget that it takes more than good parents to raise a child, it takes a good community. I believe that we have clouded our conception of acceptable value systems. We have created a generation of entitled, selfish, vain children. We allow outside forces to influence and corrupt our children through media and pop culture propaganda. We are at war with ourselves.
In an age of connection, why do we feel so disconnected? Love is the ultimate weapon. We must love ourselves first to be able to love one another. True love starts with acceptance. When will we be able to surrender our individual pride for the common welfare of our species? We use violence in our streets to try and promote change. We must demonstrate hope and understanding in order to motivate the masses towards a more positive path. We are divided through our own ignorance and inability to accept ourselves. Until we realize we are not more unique the man or woman standing next to us we will continue to be at war with one another.
We are living in an age where we can share every experience in an instant but we fail to tap into the positive possibilities of tv, radio and social media. We must come together and share hope with each other. Today, I ask you to spread a message of acceptance. Spread a message of hope and do your best to be a positive example to a child. I was once told in a recovery group to write a letter to my ten year old self. What would you say to your younger selves?
I will keep this post short and look forward to share and read your comments. Share and be a relentless force of hope!
Today's positive affirmation: I will no longer be bound by the chains of pride.
I see hope in the flowers blooming between the cracks in the pavement. Our young people are the seeds of our species. They need our UNDIVIDED attention. The only way to break the cycle of our past mistakes is by creating a new wheel. When we look into our children's eyes, we should always desire the best parts of us to be what is reflected. Our children experience our experiences, failures and successes. They emulate our very being. As a society we tend to forget that it takes more than good parents to raise a child, it takes a good community. I believe that we have clouded our conception of acceptable value systems. We have created a generation of entitled, selfish, vain children. We allow outside forces to influence and corrupt our children through media and pop culture propaganda. We are at war with ourselves.
In an age of connection, why do we feel so disconnected? Love is the ultimate weapon. We must love ourselves first to be able to love one another. True love starts with acceptance. When will we be able to surrender our individual pride for the common welfare of our species? We use violence in our streets to try and promote change. We must demonstrate hope and understanding in order to motivate the masses towards a more positive path. We are divided through our own ignorance and inability to accept ourselves. Until we realize we are not more unique the man or woman standing next to us we will continue to be at war with one another.
We are living in an age where we can share every experience in an instant but we fail to tap into the positive possibilities of tv, radio and social media. We must come together and share hope with each other. Today, I ask you to spread a message of acceptance. Spread a message of hope and do your best to be a positive example to a child. I was once told in a recovery group to write a letter to my ten year old self. What would you say to your younger selves?
I will keep this post short and look forward to share and read your comments. Share and be a relentless force of hope!
Today's positive affirmation: I will no longer be bound by the chains of pride.
Monday, January 23, 2017
We Are All Mirrors Facing Mirrors
We are all reflections of the world around us. We all have the capacity to be beautiful and we all have the capacity to be ugly. When we lose our focus on the bigger reflection that surrounds us and instead become centered around our own vain intentions... We become a trapped reflection. Our inability to accept ourselves becomes the obstacle that holds us back from our true potential. It can make us a slave to selfishness...As human beings we share a profound connection to one another. Many of us don't realize the impact we are able to leave on a life. Even if you don't have a child of your own that looks up to you for guidance, we all have "children" watching...Next time you find yourself in a public place...Try and be aware of just how many eyes are constantly watching you.
Have you ever listened to a song that was able to change your whole attitude, or been inspired so much by something you've seen that it changes your emotions or outlook? Those types of situations are the tangible evidence of the complex connection we share with one another. If we could just begin to look past our own reflection and find contentment within ourselves, we would have the chance to start changing the larger reflection that surrounds us. We would be able realize that we gain nothing through our own selfish devices...It is the legacy we create for each other that defines our existence.
This starts with our own self acceptance.Communication is a beautiful thing...but we have to be able to communicate with ourselves first. However, we have to beware. We can allow our minds to become the mouth of our greatest enemy, the mouth of our greatest critic and a friend that leads us down the wrong path. This can lead our hearts to be filled with doubt, hate or fear. Or...we can instead start allowing our minds to become the contagious anthems of an infectious change and thus our hearts become the true proof of working beauty.
As a recovering addict I know firsthand what fear and self doubt are capable of...for me to truly begin to live the life I was supposed to be living I had to find contentment within myself ...I had to face my mirror and no longer be blinded by the scars and flaws I see reflected on the outside...I looked inside to find courage to see the beautiful person inside that I kept hidden for so long.
I believe as human beings no matter what race, cultural background, sexual orientation, etc., we all have experiences in life that are relatable and significant. I've been where you've been. Maybe not in the same sense but from one human being to another...we all face the condition of suffering throughout our lives. Learning to live with who you are is being able to understand that there is no excuse but to be the best person you can be. We are all mirrors facing mirrors and our actions and lives reflect in to one another for better or for worse. Let us not be trapped reflections but share ourselves to help bring hope and happiness to the next person.
I am responsible for the change I wish to see in my own reflection and in the larger reflection that is the world. Each morning I face my mirror and give myself strength by accepting who I am. If you are lost inside your mirror and feel as if no one understands what you are going through, I invite you to come share your reflection in a mirror of acceptance. I wish for this blog to be a place where anyone can come find hope and share their life experiences to benefit the next reader...to let move beyond the frame of our trapped reflections and join in the bigger reflection that is life.
Change starts with action. Read! Comment! Reflect hope, happiness and strength! Become the mirrors for a better world to be reflected in.
Today's positive affirmation: We are never defined by the amount of time we fall, we are defined by the amount of times we choose to stand back up. My darkness is the shadow reminding me of a new sun that rises. I am the light that fills all voids and gives a voice to silent struggle.
READ, COMMENT ! REFLECT HOPE, HAPPINESS AND STRENGTH! BECOME A MIRROR OF ACCEPTANCE!
Have you ever listened to a song that was able to change your whole attitude, or been inspired so much by something you've seen that it changes your emotions or outlook? Those types of situations are the tangible evidence of the complex connection we share with one another. If we could just begin to look past our own reflection and find contentment within ourselves, we would have the chance to start changing the larger reflection that surrounds us. We would be able realize that we gain nothing through our own selfish devices...It is the legacy we create for each other that defines our existence.
This starts with our own self acceptance.Communication is a beautiful thing...but we have to be able to communicate with ourselves first. However, we have to beware. We can allow our minds to become the mouth of our greatest enemy, the mouth of our greatest critic and a friend that leads us down the wrong path. This can lead our hearts to be filled with doubt, hate or fear. Or...we can instead start allowing our minds to become the contagious anthems of an infectious change and thus our hearts become the true proof of working beauty.
As a recovering addict I know firsthand what fear and self doubt are capable of...for me to truly begin to live the life I was supposed to be living I had to find contentment within myself ...I had to face my mirror and no longer be blinded by the scars and flaws I see reflected on the outside...I looked inside to find courage to see the beautiful person inside that I kept hidden for so long.
I believe as human beings no matter what race, cultural background, sexual orientation, etc., we all have experiences in life that are relatable and significant. I've been where you've been. Maybe not in the same sense but from one human being to another...we all face the condition of suffering throughout our lives. Learning to live with who you are is being able to understand that there is no excuse but to be the best person you can be. We are all mirrors facing mirrors and our actions and lives reflect in to one another for better or for worse. Let us not be trapped reflections but share ourselves to help bring hope and happiness to the next person.
I am responsible for the change I wish to see in my own reflection and in the larger reflection that is the world. Each morning I face my mirror and give myself strength by accepting who I am. If you are lost inside your mirror and feel as if no one understands what you are going through, I invite you to come share your reflection in a mirror of acceptance. I wish for this blog to be a place where anyone can come find hope and share their life experiences to benefit the next reader...to let move beyond the frame of our trapped reflections and join in the bigger reflection that is life.
Change starts with action. Read! Comment! Reflect hope, happiness and strength! Become the mirrors for a better world to be reflected in.
Today's positive affirmation: We are never defined by the amount of time we fall, we are defined by the amount of times we choose to stand back up. My darkness is the shadow reminding me of a new sun that rises. I am the light that fills all voids and gives a voice to silent struggle.
READ, COMMENT ! REFLECT HOPE, HAPPINESS AND STRENGTH! BECOME A MIRROR OF ACCEPTANCE!
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