I think everyone can utilise the story of the snail & the worm to better their own lives. For me the tree is studying & raising my children on my own, the apple will be a degree and providing the world with 3 more well adjusted young people. Thank you for sharing this story, I will use it to help me to be mindful of my determination in the difficult times.
Although you have a tough system to face, some might say it's set up for you fail (that is what my criminology lecturer teaches of the U.S. criminal justice system here in Australia) but with determination like you have, there is nothing you can't achieve. Stay focused on your goal & I have no doubt you WILL enjoy the taste of the sweetest apple!
How are you doing? This will be my 3rd attempt in writing you. I had first written you back in January, letting you know about watching your episode, and how impactful your words were about the little things in life, such as Ice Water. Remember that? You were a topic of conversation in my home for a good long while. They aired the episode again, and the kids loved watching you on TV. Anyway, I wanted to see if you preferred us writing you on this blog site, or direct mail? Anyway, we check on you a few months ago but never heard back. Hope all is ok, or if you would prefer for us to chill then we'll write you less often. Either way, we hope you are doing ok in your newer surroundings. Last we saw on TV, you had your hair cut. I bet it's coming back already. Anyway, let me know about the mailing, and I'd like to maybe see about giving you the means to eat the occasional treat from the commissary. Please understand that we feel you were given a raw deal with your sentance, and you have taught us a few things on the outside. You have my word we have only good intentions.
Thanks for writing! I finished the transcription for your post. Although I see this was posted in January (on my birthday incidentally) I've seen a couple of articles pop up and was a bit confused as to what 'Write or die' actually is. Once I realised this post explained more, I was curious, yet I struggled to read it, (as you said... I'll get used to your writing in time) I decided if I transcribed this post, it would make more sense... and now it all does! (phew).
I'd be interested to follow your posts & your journal if & when you do get that started, if it doesn't just remain an idea you're toying with. I live in a country which doesn't have the death penalty, thankfully; but I would be very interested to follow your stories.
I look forward to reading more. Thank you for your post.
In a class recently, my lecturer was talking about the kids movie 'the Incredibles' & the super powers each of the characters possessed. (Incidentally this was in an Australian University, Canadian Lecturer) Mr Incredible, the power of strength, Elastagirl, flexibility & she suggested that Frozone's (played by Samuel L Jackson) superpower was not simply to freeze things but that his real superpower was actually 'swagger'. She went on to say that throughout the civil rights movement there was no social media as there is today and the only way to attract followers to the cause was to be likable & appeal to people. Reading this blog, along with your profile today what came to mind is... I think you might possess this same superpower.
I enjoyed reading this a lot, I see my own thoughts reflected in your words & there were parts that made me smile. Thank you for sharing!
Your birthday card was great. I did not know August 12 was your birthday. It certainly was a cause for celebration. Becoming 30 is a momentous occasion. You displayed a very positive attitude in your letter. That is so important. You realize balloons and cake are only the outward signs of turning 30. It is what is in your heart that matters. With a positive attitude and loving heart, you can find your purpose in living even though it may be harder to discover that purpose in your present circumstances. Like you said, reflect not on the previous 30 years, but on the 30 years to come. You do not need money and material items to deliver happiness and joy to others. Never give up. Know that God and your family and friends love you. Spread the joy!
I enjoyed reading your blog. It was actually one of the lighter ones I've read tonight. I agree wholeheartedly, your mind is the key to keep you free. Thank you for sharing.
I fail to see how the death penalty can be any form of deterrent or an acceptable punishment for any crime. I'm thankful that I live in a country where a man has not been committed to death since the 1950s. A reasonable comparison would be smacking a child & saying 'don't hit people' what does that conflicting information do to our minds!? Legalising murder; committing someone to death is nothing more than madness. Every life has value, yet this is not the message that is conveyed under this form of 'punishment'.
As you can probably tell, I'm stalking you through all your blog posts now. haha. I'm writing from Australia so hearing about the shooting here, I would have thought it is a little easier to distance ourselves from the horror, to a degree. We still feel the tragedy as our own though I think, we have similar cultures & identify with the U.S. on many levels and we feel the heartbreak of all those involved, it does still touch us all in some way. I still hear the voice of a mother that I heard on the radio when I was in the car as the news was breaking, she was distraught, crying & saying she didn't know where her 2 year old baby was - that goes straight to a mother's heart & the pain stays there. I never heard any update on her.
I had actually planned to take my 2 boys to watch the movie on the weekend following the shooting & had decided it was silly to not follow through with our plans because they were excited about going. I must admit though... sitting there with my 2 children beside me & staring at the screen, I found myself thinking about what those poor people had gone through in the same circumstances. I'd even gone so far as to make a little escape plan in my mind in the off chance that there was any possibility it could happen again & that's a reaction from the other side of the world, from an emotionally stable person. I'm also a psychology student so I found myself processing the tragedy from many angles (how it has, and will continue to effect the shooters loved ones, the loved ones of the victims, the survivors and even people not directly connected to the incident and of course, what was going on in the mind of the shooter himself - what any of us could have done to prevent it). It's a tragedy; a far reaching one. Something else I'd like to say to you about those around you, sometimes making jokes is a way for people to cope, we all have our own ways of dealing with things so I hope you didn't take their reactions too much to heart. Take care of you.
RSS
I think everyone can utilise the story of the snail & the worm to better their own lives. For me the tree is studying & raising my children on my own, the apple will be a degree and providing the world with 3 more well adjusted young people. Thank you for sharing this story, I will use it to help me to be mindful of my determination in the difficult times.
Although you have a tough system to face, some might say it's set up for you fail (that is what my criminology lecturer teaches of the U.S. criminal justice system here in Australia) but with determination like you have, there is nothing you can't achieve. Stay focused on your goal & I have no doubt you WILL enjoy the taste of the sweetest apple!
Thank you for brightening my day! :)
It was a pleasure transcribing your poem. Thank you for sharing.
Sincerely,
Kyle Proehl
How are you doing? This will be my 3rd attempt in writing you. I had first written you back in January, letting you know about watching your episode, and how impactful your words were about the little things in life, such as Ice Water. Remember that? You were a topic of conversation in my home for a good long while. They aired the episode again, and the kids loved watching you on TV. Anyway, I wanted to see if you preferred us writing you on this blog site, or direct mail? Anyway, we check on you a few months ago but never heard back. Hope all is ok, or if you would prefer for us to chill then we'll write you less often. Either way, we hope you are doing ok in your newer surroundings. Last we saw on TV, you had your hair cut. I bet it's coming back already. Anyway, let me know about the mailing, and I'd like to maybe see about giving you the means to eat the occasional treat from the commissary. Please understand that we feel you were given a raw deal with your sentance, and you have taught us a few things on the outside. You have my word we have only good intentions.
Take care, Christopher.
Regards, Carlos H. (Northern California)
I'd be interested to follow your posts & your journal if & when you do get that started, if it doesn't just remain an idea you're toying with. I live in a country which doesn't have the death penalty, thankfully; but I would be very interested to follow your stories.
I look forward to reading more. Thank you for your post.
Nicki
I enjoyed reading this a lot, I see my own thoughts reflected in your words & there were parts that made me smile. Thank you for sharing!
Nicki
Bettyann
Take care!
Nicki
Thank you for sharing.
Nicki
I had actually planned to take my 2 boys to watch the movie on the weekend following the shooting & had decided it was silly to not follow through with our plans because they were excited about going. I must admit though... sitting there with my 2 children beside me & staring at the screen, I found myself thinking about what those poor people had gone through in the same circumstances. I'd even gone so far as to make a little escape plan in my mind in the off chance that there was any possibility it could happen again & that's a reaction from the other side of the world, from an emotionally stable person. I'm also a psychology student so I found myself processing the tragedy from many angles (how it has, and will continue to effect the shooters loved ones, the loved ones of the victims, the survivors and even people not directly connected to the incident and of course, what was going on in the mind of the shooter himself - what any of us could have done to prevent it). It's a tragedy; a far reaching one. Something else I'd like to say to you about those around you, sometimes making jokes is a way for people to cope, we all have our own ways of dealing with things so I hope you didn't take their reactions too much to heart. Take care of you.
Nicki