Please forgive the delayed response. "Ransoming the Captive" comes from the alternate name for the Christian corporal work of mercy of visiting the imprisoned. I picked your writing to transcribe because it was very powerful, beautifully constructed and sadly, all too relevant. But your writing demonstrates the importance of compassion and the strength that is derived from calling out hate. It truly was my pleasure to transcribe.
Tony goodness oh my thoughts of you being in prison half your life and so dam close to being free. Oh I can't imagine how scary it really is. All I'm hearing is negative thoughts and sure it definitely comes from being in a negative investment for 22 plus years. And now so close to waking up and being able to open the door and walk out. No one yelling to have head count. Or phones off. Or showing with others. All that stays in the shit hole you never want to see again. The sun might shine that day. Heck it might pour down rain . That probably be awesome. You will have a chance to feel something just a few steps out that revolving door. The grass the dirt. Not thinking Christmas or Thanksgiving you be back . Think you be eating turkey dinner at a table or on the grass . Alone with no yelling. P.o that will work out just fine . Just like now oby the rules is all. I bet your that flip phone will work and there is help out there for you. Shelter will guide you. You can apply for social security witch is not hard . A phone call. Food stamps you can apply and you will get them. There's plenty of places to get you started on the right path. It's up to you to address it. Where are you? I can look into something's for you to help you for when you are released. Make you head in right direction. I mean if you wanted me to? You don't have any family or a friend in the world who kept in touch with you all the years you probably needed the most? Dumb question I should've asked. But you don't??? Probably not any phone number's for you to call and say hey I'm out come get me? Well hey you made it all them years alone in a very dark place. You can make it now in a very bright and beautiful place. Feel the heat from sun . And see the stars and moon. Spit if you want to. Rest room door locked. Sit in the shower. Truck stop they say is a great spot for a awesome shower. Just what I heard. I'm thinking about checking it out for the hell of it. Weird but hell life is about living. And sounds pretty cool. Well anyway if you let me know where you are I'll look into resources for you. Hey Tony I get that it's overwhelming but really get out of there with a smile and show yourself you are worth the freedom you are about to get. Hell you are a a man who fought 22 years for the day to be released stand proud and face everything as it comes. Don't fight yourself for less . You deserve what is coming. Freedom. There is help out here and you will get it. But being negative will only bring you down and I believe that you had enough of that. Over thinking so one thing at a time. One day at a time. Least get out first then you can chill and breathe and make decisions on the earth side of your journey. Hang in there Tony and remember that you are a fighter. You fought for the day to be released.
Another brief note - saw the ortho doctor yesterday - he confirmed the diagnosis of trochanteric bursitis - and gave me a steroid shot in my left hip. Last night was horrid - I read about using the shot for this and it did say that sometimes the pain would be worse before it worked, so I just tried to get by. Today I’m in pain, but it’s different - and less! - so I think it’s going to help. Thank God - it’s been a long, horrible 6 months!
I love you - wish I could resolve your problems and help you get better…know that I’m thinking of you :)
Yours always….Jeanne
Oh - I’m going to Alabama for a week - leaving Saturday - so if I don’t talk to you tomorrow I probably won’t until after I get back. Lol - of course you won’t know that until I’m back, so I don’t know why I’m writing it.
A quick note - after our talk, I’m worried about you and what’s going on. I feel so helpless and don’t really understand what they’re thinking regarding your transfer. I’m just going to pray and trust that God has it all under control. No matter what, I love you - I just wish I could be held by you again….
When you feel the touch of the breeze - that’s me, sending butterfly kisses
Thank you for sharing yourself with us. I can only imagine what it's been like to spend the last 15 1/2 years in solitary confinement. Your description of prison, and specifically solitary as the "House of Destruction," is raw and visceral. You offered me a look into your world. I can see it, feel it, touch it. I know you say nothing can be done to change what you've been through, and I believe that's true. But what if something could be done to shift the future and offer you a sense of internal peace that no one and nothing could take away from you?
I work with a nonprofit organization called The Unconditional Freedom Project. Our vision is to transform prisons into monasteries, recasting the penitentiary as a place to contemplate and meaningfully contribute. We are not a religious program, though I know language like monastery can often be associated with that. We do believe that with the right resources, prison could be a monastic environment that encourages human flourishing though.
I have a workbook I'd like to offer you, and it can be sent directly from our publisher. It's called The Art of Soulmaking: The Path to Unconditional Freedom.
Our Art of Soulmaking program provides tools for improving the interior lives of incarcerated people. This 8-week course guides a person through a journey of inquiry and personal liberation. It starts with building a foundation of practice through journaling, soul searching exercises, yoga and meditation. From there, participants walk through four lessons on reclaiming power and restoring dignity.
We know that people do not change in isolation, that's why I was so moved by your solitary confinement post. Change happens when we recognize the whole of a human. Another component of our program is exchanging letters with a Volunteer Correspondent who is also on their own Soulmaking journey. The desire to feel truly seen by another, to be felt by another, is what makes us human. Not only is it natural, it is medicine. It’s essential to grow.
Would you be interested in receiving an Art of Soulmaking workbook to explore the program and write with a pen pal? If so, let me know where to send and I will have our publisher ship one out to you.
Thank you for sharing yourself with us. I know it's been a while since you first wrote this post but you had asked for books. Are you still interested in receiving reading materials?
I work with a nonprofit organization called The Unconditional Freedom Project. Our vision is to transform prisons into monasteries, recasting the penitentiary as a place to contemplate and meaningfully contribute. Everything we do is aimed at human flourishing.
I have a workbook I'd like to offer you, and it can be sent directly from our publisher. It's called The Art of Soulmaking: The Path to Unconditional Freedom.
Our Art of Soulmaking program provides tools for improving the interior lives of incarcerated people. This 8-week course guides a person through a journey of inquiry and personal liberation. It starts with building a foundation of practice through journaling, soul searching exercises, yoga and meditation. From there, participants walk through four lessons on reclaiming power and restoring dignity.
We know that people do not change in isolation, that's why I was so moved by your solitary confinement post. Change happens when we recognize the whole of a human. Another component of our program is exchanging letters with a Volunteer Correspondent who is also on their own Soulmaking journey. The desire to feel truly seen by another, to be felt by another, is what makes us human. Not only is it natural, it is medicine. It’s essential to grow.
Would you be interested in receiving an Art of Soulmaking workbook to explore the program and write with a pen pal? If so, let me know where to send and I will have our publisher ship one out to you.
RSS
Please forgive the delayed response. "Ransoming the Captive" comes from the alternate name for the Christian corporal work of mercy of visiting the imprisoned. I picked your writing to transcribe because it was very powerful, beautifully constructed and sadly, all too relevant. But your writing demonstrates the importance of compassion and the strength that is derived from calling out hate. It truly was my pleasure to transcribe.
God bless,
Mike
I love you - wish I could resolve your problems and help you get better…know that I’m thinking of you :)
Yours always….Jeanne
Oh - I’m going to Alabama for a week - leaving Saturday - so if I don’t talk to you tomorrow I probably won’t until after I get back. Lol - of course you won’t know that until I’m back, so I don’t know why I’m writing it.
When you feel the touch of the breeze - that’s me, sending butterfly kisses
Thank you for sharing yourself with us. I can only imagine what it's been like to spend the last 15 1/2 years in solitary confinement. Your description of prison, and specifically solitary as the "House of Destruction," is raw and visceral. You offered me a look into your world. I can see it, feel it, touch it. I know you say nothing can be done to change what you've been through, and I believe that's true. But what if something could be done to shift the future and offer you a sense of internal peace that no one and nothing could take away from you?
I work with a nonprofit organization called The Unconditional Freedom Project. Our vision is to transform prisons into monasteries, recasting the penitentiary as a place to contemplate and meaningfully contribute. We are not a religious program, though I know language like monastery can often be associated with that. We do believe that with the right resources, prison could be a monastic environment that encourages human flourishing though.
I have a workbook I'd like to offer you, and it can be sent directly from our publisher. It's called The Art of Soulmaking: The Path to Unconditional Freedom.
Our Art of Soulmaking program provides tools for improving the interior lives of incarcerated people. This 8-week course guides a person through a journey of inquiry and personal liberation. It starts with building a foundation of practice through journaling, soul searching exercises, yoga and meditation. From there, participants walk through four lessons on reclaiming power and restoring dignity.
We know that people do not change in isolation, that's why I was so moved by your solitary confinement post. Change happens when we recognize the whole of a human. Another component of our program is exchanging letters with a Volunteer Correspondent who is also on their own Soulmaking journey. The desire to feel truly seen by another, to be felt by another, is what makes us human. Not only is it natural, it is medicine. It’s essential to grow.
Would you be interested in receiving an Art of Soulmaking workbook to explore the program and write with a pen pal? If so, let me know where to send and I will have our publisher ship one out to you.
Wishing you health, safety, and peace.
Warmly,
Marissa
Thank you for sharing yourself with us. I know it's been a while since you first wrote this post but you had asked for books. Are you still interested in receiving reading materials?
I work with a nonprofit organization called The Unconditional Freedom Project. Our vision is to transform prisons into monasteries, recasting the penitentiary as a place to contemplate and meaningfully contribute. Everything we do is aimed at human flourishing.
I have a workbook I'd like to offer you, and it can be sent directly from our publisher. It's called The Art of Soulmaking: The Path to Unconditional Freedom.
Our Art of Soulmaking program provides tools for improving the interior lives of incarcerated people. This 8-week course guides a person through a journey of inquiry and personal liberation. It starts with building a foundation of practice through journaling, soul searching exercises, yoga and meditation. From there, participants walk through four lessons on reclaiming power and restoring dignity.
We know that people do not change in isolation, that's why I was so moved by your solitary confinement post. Change happens when we recognize the whole of a human. Another component of our program is exchanging letters with a Volunteer Correspondent who is also on their own Soulmaking journey. The desire to feel truly seen by another, to be felt by another, is what makes us human. Not only is it natural, it is medicine. It’s essential to grow.
Would you be interested in receiving an Art of Soulmaking workbook to explore the program and write with a pen pal? If so, let me know where to send and I will have our publisher ship one out to you.
Stay safe, happy, and healthy!
Warmly,
Marissa