Earning Freedom Description
People going into a difficult situation sometimes have a hard time find the way out. It's helpful to learn from others who've through difficult journeys, but came out successfully. Such stories can bring a person hope.
When I was 23, I needed that hope. Authorities had charged me with crimes related to the distribution of cocaine. I did not have violence or weapons in my case, but a combination of the quantity and the organizational structure exposed me to a severe sentence.
Fortunately, I read about others who had gone through struggles of long-term confinement. Those stories helped me. In Earning Freedom: Conquering a 45-Year Prison Term, I hope to help others.
I wrote Earning Freedom to share my personal journey of transformation and to inspire others facing adversity. By the time a federal judge sentenced me, I had served about one year in solitary confinement. While there, I read about Socrates, Nelson Mandela, Viktor Frankl, Frederick Douglass. Those men gave me hope. They inspired a conscious decision to grow, learn, and contribute positively during the time that I served.
I structured Earning Freedom in three distinct sections, modeled after Julius Ceasar:
Veni (I came):
- I describe entering prison and facing the harsh reality of my sentence.
Vidi (I saw)
- In this section, I show the process of observing my surroundings and making deliberate plans to educate myself, build relationships, and create opportunities.
Vici (I conquered).
- Reveals how I conquered the adversity of prison life, how academic degrees contributed to my building a strong support network, and ultimately preparing myself for a meaningful life after incarceration.
Readers will gain practical insights into setting clear, achievable goals, maintaining relentless discipline, and developing resilience in the face of significant challenges.
Through this story, I show how anyone can turn setbacks into stepping stones, using structured strategies to prepare for success and create lasting positive change. I aim to empower others to believe in their ability to transform their lives, regardless of their circumstances, and to provide them with a clear blueprint for personal growth, achievement, and freedom.
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