Every day I wake up and I'm thankful just to be alive. I know that this isn't "normal" for most people but I haven't exactly lived a "normal life" for a very long time. In fact I've always felt the need to press nearly everything in my life to the absolute limit...and this includes people. For so many years I took for granted all the love and support showered on me by my family and close friends. Only after many years in here with the time and opportunity to "honestly" reflect on the path I'd chosen did I come to the startling realization that I had it pretty damn good...in fact I always did. The only person responsible for my self-destruction was in fact ME. Accepting responsiblity for the events of my life leading upto this point brought about an epiphany...If I was responsible for my past then I was also obviously responsible for determining my future. I know that some people may disagree with me when I say this but I don't believe in "fate" or "divine influence/intervention"...I believe that we set our own "intentions" and then self-fullfill them. If we begin our day with positve intentions and decide that today is going to be a great day then that is the course we've set and chosen for ourselves... No one chooses these things for us and the circumstances that we encounter throughout are day can be dealt with in whatever manner we choose. Be the maker and decider of your own destiny...take the actions that are necessary to fullfill your dreams and attain happiness NOW.

This isn't just some watered-down, feel-good b.s. that I'm advocating half-heartedly. I live it because I believe it and I believe it because I've seen the results first hand. I was unhappy for most of my life only because "I" lacked faith in myself...Ironically, I'm much happier now here in prison than I think I ever was out there. My next step is simply finding a way to eventually make it back out there to be with all of you...and everyday I make sure I'm taking the necessary "action" to get me one step closer to attaining that goal.

Have a great day today and everyday! Much Health, Love, & Happiness To All Of You....A