People can change!!!!

Tweet

Hello. I want to tell a little story in hopes that there might be another brother or sister going through a similar story. I had a very criminal background. Charges ranging from misdemeanor drug charges to low level person felonies. They were literally ALL over the state, I believe that I cases in 8 counties, that were convictions, and about 15 cases, that couldn't get a conviction in. When I got out of prison, jobs were min. wage to none. When I was sitting in prison, I had made a choice that I wanted more outta life. I was tired of running and always worried about cops catching me. If I was not running dirty then, I was worried they would run my name and find out I had warrants in another county, or was wanted for questioning for this or that. So I sat down in my cell and started writing my story as best as I could remember so I could try to figure out where I went wrong. I came up with the conclusion I was an angry drug addict. So I thought I figured it out, stay away from drugs and get a job. When I was released from prison I was in for a shock. The world had changed alot in the last 5 years. I went to get a place, and job right away. LANDLORDS and BOSSES both basically gave me the same reply. "FELON GET THE **** AWAY FROM HERE". I was frustrated, I did not want to back to the street hustle. So I did something I had never done before. I reached out and ASKED for help. Me asking wasn't easy. I had drug misdemeanors, which I guess are worse then a misdemeanor, in my eyes misdemeanor is misdemeanor. ANYWAYS I always had 2 PERSON FELONIES over non person felonies, so there were alot of programs that wanted nothing what so ever to do with me. I DID NOT GIVE UP!!!! I found a halfway house to get me started. While I was there I looked into a real mirror and saw a real image in over 5 years. I did not like what I saw, so I went to my room, and I made 3 lists that day. First list was goals I wanted to change about myself. The second one start with my goal of where I wanted to be in a year. The last one was my goal for 5 years down the road. Then on the back I wrote steps that would take me to get there. This lead me to Anger Management Classes, Intense Drug Class(drug tested daily), Then I also went to I.O.P classes(this was to learn back society behavor, cause prison life and society life is a huge difference.) Over the next three years, I moved up levels in these classes till I had graduated, and this also includes me getting and holding a job, and moving from a 1/2 way house to a 3/4 house, to my own apt. I was running good so I went to Las Vegas with my fiance and got married. I had 2 years left of my goals. (getting married was not a goal, but it is a blessing) I continued to work on my goals, added more goals with being married. TODAY I have over accomplished any and all GOALS. I have gotten my record expunged. I have not used drugs since I went to prison. The only run in with the police I have had since I got is I got pulled over for no seatbelt :( On a brighter note of that I HAD GOTTEN my license back to just get a ticket and not jail. I have gotten child support caught(including back support)I had never paid support before prison. I have gotten married, together we have 7 kids and 1 grandchild. Are you ready for the big kicker. I am an Ordained Minister now. Thats right from felony to fellowship. So brothers and sister when your out there trying to make changes, and someone is negative and says you'll never change. I want you to smile to yourself and know; If you put our fight into changing your life, and you believe in yourself to do whatever it takes to change, it is possible. I am proof, and yes its tough, but it all starts with YOU!!!!