Two and a Half Years Left:
How I Plan to Rejoin Society

When I am released from prison, which should be in January of 2017, I will have spent a total of almost 18 years in prison. I hear inmates talk about what they plan on doing once they get out, etc. I guess I'm a little different, my plans start right NOW and not when I get out. I need to prepare myself ahead of time and decide what I want to do. I knew this day would come, and now it's almost here. These are some of my plans:

Get a state identification card ( I already have my social security card and birth certificate).

Seek employment right away, even possibly work two jobs, a full-time and part-time job as well.

Get my driver's license (I've never had one) because it could possibly lead to a job as a driver, etc.

Get my commercial driver's license. I can possibly get employed as a truck/tractor trailer driver, or any other job that requires a CDL license.

Continue to attend chapel/church services at least once a week.

Surround myself with positive people.

Continue to attend Alcoholics/Narcotics Anonymous meetings.

Try to get a license to become a muscle fitness instructor and/or personal fitness trainer.

Maybe even try to find a job working around troubled youth and young people, as I had a very hard life as a teenager, so I think other troubled youth would definitely identify with me and my story. For some reason, I have a strong passion and desire to do so much work in this area, helping troubled youth.

Lastly, remember that no one owes me anything and that the first step towards making a better life for myself is to start by helping myself. I know this is easier said than done, and I know I have a difficult road ahead of me. There are people in here are not as fortunate as me, people who have life without parole or the death penalty- who will never be released from prison. Some of these people I have become close to over the years and it saddens me sometimes that they will never get out of prison. But it also reminds me that I have a blessed opportunity to be released from prison and I should never forget that.

Two and a half years left- sometimes I like to think of it as 900 days left, for some reason it seems like the days will go by faster if I say 900 days instead of 2 and a half years left. I don't know why that is. I do know that I'm ready to get out of prison.

We Can Only Keep What We Have By Giving It Away.........

People are often mean, unreasonable and self-centered, Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may use you or accuse you of having selfish ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere, people may deceive you. Be honest anyway.

What may have took you years to create, other could destroy overnight. Create anyway.

If you find peace and happiness, some may be jealous of you. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.

Even when you give your best, it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.

After all, it was between you and God. It was NEVER between you and them anyway.