Seven percent of the state budget? Egads! That seems so crazy. If people thought about that when they filed their taxes, I wonder if they'd be more interested in seeing how the money is spent.
If you haven't seen it already there are some great conceptual diagrams of the "prison industrial complex" on the web at http://prisonmaps.com/, by the Corrections Documentary Project.
Actually i'm not sure how to include images in a comment. Maybe it's not possible. I'm going to mail the BTB people to find out if that's something they're thinking of adding.
You hit the nail on the head (so to speak) with "we have choices", and have to take responsibility for them! No one can take away your power of choice. That has been proven in many severe situations, such as prisoners of war. The ones that survive do so with their power of choice (how they chose to respond to the way they are treated) and keeping as positive an attitude as possible)!
I'm so happy that you have discovered that a "positive attitude" can alter your life in a positive way, and are sharing that with others. That's why you get up every morning ready to face the day in a positive way. We all have this ability, we just have to keep that positive attitude going because it replaces our "bad" habit (negative) with a "good" habit in no time at all!
The beauty of having a positive attitude is people like to be around you.......they don't want to be around negativity)!
It take one negative person to change 5 positive people, but it takes 5 positive people to change one negative person. This is why it is so hard to stay positive, but it can be done......as you have proven!
I also like that you listed all your accomplishments since you've been there. That shows anyone that is reading your blog that your not just talking or lecturing, you are putting it into action, and so can they!
You should be very proud of your accomplishments! You are a fantastic role model and teacher. Keep up the great work!!
Hey James! I got your letter today... and I am enjoying reading your blog. I appreciate your kind words about my health. I am doing really well today. I go in for treatment every two weeks and had my first one Sept 8th. I have my second one this coming Thur. I will have a total of 8... which means my last treatment (if all goes well) should be on my birthday. ha... just the luck! At least I will have something to celebrate right? I am very hopeful that treatment will work. I am not sure what they told you about my treatment/prognosis... so I will give you a quick run down. I had surgery on Aug 6th a full mastectomy, and the surgery was successful in removing all the tumor. They also discovered that the cancer had NOT spread to any where else in my body including my lymph system. This is good news. So I am to undergo chemotherapy until mid December.... then I get a 4-6 week 'break' and then I will do radiation treatment for 6 weeks total. Radiation will be 5 days a week, but should have very little side effects other than time commitment. "They" say that by the time into radiation, I will feel like Im in the home stretch. Whatever. It's cancer, and it's not fun. Anyway, other than that everything else if life is good. Work is good, so is the family. I will graduate with my masters degree in May of 2012. It's been a grueling 18 months of school, but very fun too. James, I love you... and although I don't write enough, I think about you often. You are my first nephew, you know? I hope you are well. I love you. Charlene
Great story! I read this, but I will read the chapter in the Bible. It such a "feel good" story. I'm sure the writer's group enjoyed it. Love reading your Blog...
I love Big Brother....didn't like Rachel, but she did deserve to win....The fall shows have started - I am in my glory...I like this random post...we definitely won't wait 9 months to visit....I can't wait to see Badgett again; oh, and you too (just kidding). Aunt Loretta, Cathy and I want to order you a birthday gift. When we were there we picked up the Summer 2011 Package Program order form (is this the current form?) Can you go through it and give us some options. I'm not sure if you would list them on the blog or just drop me a note when you get a chance.....Make it soon - your birthday is just a month away..Love ya!!!
I trust this finds you welll and coping with a smile on your face, I have been reading your blog and find it so interesting to read your thoughts and feelings, I hope you never give up on blogging ,
you are a fasinating and strong willed person, two great qualities, will chat soon.
I love the analogy of the hamster wheel. It seems that in learning that you can only control your actions/reactions, and not those of others, that you have been able to achieve some inner peace. I think many people spend their entire lives pushing and raging against what they feel are injustices against them at the hands of others. Once you accept that life isn't "fair" but that you can be happy if you learn to take things in your stride than you can become a "whole" person. Thank you for sharing your experiences here, and keep up all the good work you are doing on the inside, it sounds like you are really giving back to the community you once set out to harm and damage! Best of luck to you!
RSS
If you haven't seen it already there are some great conceptual diagrams of the "prison industrial complex" on the web at http://prisonmaps.com/, by the Corrections Documentary Project.
Actually i'm not sure how to include images in a comment. Maybe it's not possible. I'm going to mail the BTB people to find out if that's something they're thinking of adding.
I love this posting!
You hit the nail on the head (so to speak) with "we have choices", and have to take responsibility for them! No one can take away your power of choice. That has been proven in many severe situations, such as prisoners of war. The ones that survive do so with their power of choice (how they chose to respond to the way they are treated) and keeping as positive an attitude as possible)!
I'm so happy that you have discovered that a "positive attitude" can alter your life in a positive way, and are sharing that with others. That's why you get up every morning ready to face the day in a positive way. We all have this ability, we just have to keep that positive attitude going because it replaces our "bad" habit (negative) with a "good" habit in no time at all!
The beauty of having a positive attitude is people like to be around you.......they don't want to be around negativity)!
It take one negative person to change 5 positive people, but it takes 5 positive people to change one negative person. This is why it is so hard to stay positive, but it can be done......as you have proven!
I also like that you listed all your accomplishments since you've been there. That shows anyone that is reading your blog that your not just talking or lecturing, you are putting it into action, and so can they!
You should be very proud of your accomplishments! You are a fantastic role model and teacher. Keep up the great work!!
Carol
I appreciate your kind words about my health. I am doing really well today. I go in for treatment every two weeks and had my first one Sept 8th. I have my second one this coming Thur. I will have a total of 8... which means my last treatment (if all goes well) should be on my birthday. ha... just the luck! At least I will have something to celebrate right? I am very hopeful that treatment will work. I am not sure what they told you about my treatment/prognosis... so I will give you a quick run down. I had surgery on Aug 6th a full mastectomy, and the surgery was successful in removing all the tumor. They also discovered that the cancer had NOT spread to any where else in my body including my lymph system. This is good news. So I am to undergo chemotherapy until mid December.... then I get a 4-6 week 'break' and then I will do radiation treatment for 6 weeks total. Radiation will be 5 days a week, but should have very little side effects other than time commitment. "They" say that by the time into radiation, I will feel like Im in the home stretch. Whatever. It's cancer, and it's not fun.
Anyway, other than that everything else if life is good. Work is good, so is the family. I will graduate with my masters degree in May of 2012. It's been a grueling 18 months of school, but very fun too.
James, I love you... and although I don't write enough, I think about you often. You are my first nephew, you know? I hope you are well. I love you.
Charlene
Joke
I trust this finds you welll and coping with a smile on your face, I have been reading your blog and find it so interesting to read your thoughts and feelings, I hope you never give up on blogging ,
you are a fasinating and strong willed person, two great qualities, will chat soon.
mail soon
Bobbie