One of the things that I hear often from people who meet me nowadays and learn of my past is ”wow prison must have been horrible“.
But truthfully there were really good things about it. That must sound ridiculous to most of you. I’ll elaborate.
Not every person who is locked up deserves to be. I have strong opinions about the drug laws and mandatory minimum sentencing laws. I met and became close friends with some very good men. Men whose only “crime” was getting high in an unapproved fashion. Men who held college degrees, who owned reputable businesses. Men who had solid families and were active in their community.
Once I learned that I lived in there and not out here things became better. Which is to say that acceptance of your reality is paramount to being happy. If you have spent any time with me socially you know that I will laugh and cut up and enjoy every minute I can. That part of my personality didn’t change on the inside. I made friends I’m still in touch with to this day. We’d play cards, work out together and live life in our tiny microcosm in which was our shared reality.
I can honestly tell you I’d had much worse experiences within the confines of a couple marriages than I ever had in prison! Being an extreme extrovert who knows scores of people has caused me epic grief with many girlfriends/ wives. Which is one of my very favorite things about my life with Stephanie. There is zero jealousy or petty or redundant arguments. She completely accepts me as is and has come to enjoy most of the parts of me that I’ve spent most of my life apologizing for.
In prison my nickname was Smily. People would ask “Ford how can you be so happy all the time?” I’d answer, I wake up with a choice, smile and make it a great day or wallow in self pity and be a person no one wants to be around. I choose the former.
You can train your mind to work in a positive direction. As easily as you’re trained to be negative. Think about it seriously.
Someone asks, What are you doing? Same shit different day.
If I’m asked the same question? Living my dreams!
Instead of... I have to go to work. Say, I get to go to work! Some don’t have a job.
Instead of tripping on the price of gas, be thankful that because you get to go to work that you have the means to buy gas.
It’s bigger than “I didn’t get what I wanted”
when you understand that “I’ve got exactly what I need! Teach yourself to be appreciative for the life that you have. Learn to realize that nothing is promised or guaranteed. Today and every day live and love yourself like you might not wake up tomorrow morning.
Comments