Eight Years Ago Today I Walked Into a New World: Federal Prison

Eight years ago today (8.13), I walked into federal prison.

I wrote the following line in my memoir, “Blank Canvas, How I Reinvented My Life After Prison,” describing my 1st day:

“The sound of a door to a prison cell closing is the sound of freedom dying.”

It’s taken me a long time to understand something.

Freedom is as complex as it is beautiful.

Yes, I lost a form of freedom that day.

I’ve also earned it back. I earned it back by completing my sentence, a pre-ordained amount of time set by the judge.

But the true complexity and beauty of freedom are found within.

Inner peace and emotional freedom are our rights; they are our truest essence.

No one or no thing can take them away from us without our complicit approval.

And although they are our rights, they aren’t guaranteed.

Every day, inner peace and emotional freedom must be earned.

I earn them by walking out of the self-imposed prison cells of my mind.

Fear
Guilt
Shame
Inadequacy
Lack of Self-Worth
Impostor Syndrome