My friend Steve was released from Taft Camp yesterday morning. I was in this room writing well before dawn, and I watched through the window as Steve carried his box of belongings from the housing unit toward the camp’s exit. A few days ago another friend, David, also walked out from those same doors. I know that I’ll meet new people in the days, weeks, and months ahead, but I’ll likely pass through this final month of 2009 focusing on my exercise, reading, and planning for the goals I’ll want to achieve in 2010.
2009 was a productive year. I was able to work with my friend Justin Paperny as he wrote a book about his prison experiences, and I wrote the Earning Freedom manuscript that will launch my career upon release. The act that really carried me through the year was my daily run. I made a commitment to run every day, and keeping that commitment enabled me to control a portion of every day. As a prisoner, I’ve strengthened myself by setting goals and measuring progress by working toward them every day.
Another daily habit has been writing these journal entries. Some may find the daily entries tedious, but I think it’s important to document this long journey of confinement. I hope to demonstrate for readers how deliberate adjustment plans can be the mechanism that allows for moving through challenging times. Despite the 8,149 days that I’ve served in prison, and the many friends (like Steve, David, and Justin) who have walked out of prison boundaries after serving a term of confinement, my own goals empower me to continue this long walk to freedom. In time, I know that I’ll walk out, too, and when it’s time for me to return to society, because I’ve prepared, I will emerge successfully.
This morning I ran 10 miles and followed with 300 pushups. Then I wrote letters to friends who’ve become like family to me.
[daily running log: 3,153 miles in 353 days]
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