I had a wonderful boost of energy this morning when I opened my eyes at 2:28 and acknowledged that we’re in a new year, and a new decade. I was eager to begin making progress toward the goals I’ve set. The first order of work for me was organizational. I transferred dates and records I’ve kept in my 2009 planner to the new 2010 planner that I’ve been storing in my locker since November. Then I began writing.
I finished a book report for Black Boy, a wonderful autobiography by Richard Wright, and I wrote my fourth quarter report for 2009. That year is now behind me. It was a productive year, but I’m glad that it’s now in my past, along with all the other years I’ve served in prison. My 23rd holiday season is also a memory. Before sleeping last night, I thought about where I was and what I was doing on each of the previous New Year’s eves since 1987. I have clear memories of each—always in a prison rack, eager to sleep and wake to a new year.
But beginning 2010 is different from all the years past, at least symbolically. It’s different because I’m now in the decade that will mark my release from prison, no matter what. The feeling is sweetened because release will come in the early rather than the latter part of the decade. I don’t know whether release will be in 2010, 2011, or 2012, but I know with certainty that I’ll be home before the end of 2013. At worst, I have three more holiday seasons in prison, and I doubt I’ll serve all three.
After writing a bit in the early morning, I spent time working on a collaboration project I’ve begun. This project will keep me busy through June, assuming it continues until completion. I’m not at liberty to write the details of it, but the work makes a significant contribution to my family and to society. When I’m released from the restrictive world of prison, I’ll elaborate more freely on the measurable work I do in preparation for future. Now that I’m in the final 10 percent of my imprisonment phase, my focus on preparations becomes more laser like, without any distractions.
This morning I enjoyed my first exercise of the New Year. I continue to run slow but steady. Carole wasn’t scheduled to visit until 9:30, so I had time for a full exercise session. I ran 10 miles and followed with 400 pushups. In order to reach my goal of 100,000 pushups by year-end, I’ll keep a pace of 2,000 pushups each week throughout the year.
Today I begin reading Lessons From Prison, a book that my friend Justin Paperny wrote. He served about one year with me in Taft Camp, and used his time effectively by becoming an author and training for a career he envisioned as a speaker and consultant. He’s one of the few prisoners I’ve known to walk out of prison with a career intact, and begin thriving at once. I look forward to finally reading his book.
[Consecutive running log: 3,410 miles over 385 days]
[Cumulative pushup total begins with 400]
Friday, 1 January 2010
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