Fernando, a new prisoner, joined our TOAD group a few weeks ago. I was happy to learn more about his progress at Taft Camp. Clearly, Fernando will contribute a great deal to our group that strives to offer positive messages to at-risk adolescents.
Fernando told me that he was 42 and that with his wife, Kim, he has three young children. Imprisonment is difficult on all families, but Fernando has been keeping his spirits positive. He spoke with our group about his experience with sports, and he gave a motivational speech that described how participation in sports could counter the bad influences that pervade so many urban neighborhoods. I look forward to listening when Fernando delivers his speech to the at-risk groups that we address each month.
Since he is scheduled to serve six years, Fernando has set some specific goals that he wants to work toward. I encourage all of my fellow prisoners to set goals. Working toward goals empowers people because the goals represent something tangible—something that we control. The prison experience takes away so much, but one of the powers that we retain is the power to respond to struggle. I admire men like Fernando who respond with dignity, as shown by the goals he set. He rightfully credits his wife and children as his primary inspiration.
I expect that within a few months Fernando will take a leadership role in our TOAD group. He has the right attitude and the positive energy that the group needs. As I advance further into the final three years of my sentence, I intend to focus more time on my commitment to writing projects. I will pull back from my group participations with confidence that new prisoners like Fernando can advance the group and continue its inspiring, informative message to at-risk adolescents.
Ran 10 miles.
[consecutive running log: 4,335 miles over 488 days]
Wednesday, 14 April 2010
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