Combine appreciation for opportunities with authentic self-presentation. Build genuine relationships that support reentry success.
Express appreciation through actions, not just words
Align your thoughts, words, and actions in harmony
Use gratitude and authenticity to strengthen your foundation
Mahatma Gandhi taught that we should keep our thoughts, words, and actions in harmony. This is the essence of authenticity. When what we think, say, and do are aligned, we live with integrity. Others can trust us because we are consistent.
Authenticity means:
Shon Hopwood's story demonstrates authenticity in action. After robbing banks and serving ten years in federal prison, Shon committed to a different path. He learned the law, helped others with their cases, and won cases before the Supreme Court—all while incarcerated.
After release, Shon continued on this authentic path. He earned a law degree, became a professor at Georgetown Law School, and worked on the First Step Act that brought reforms to the federal prison system. His success came from living authentically, not from pretending to be someone he wasn't.
President Kennedy said the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them. True appreciation shows in our actions:
Focusing on what we have rather than what we lack builds resilience. Even in difficult circumstances, we can find things to appreciate:
This perspective doesn't minimize real challenges. It simply provides a foundation of strength from which to face them.
Write responses to the following questions in approximately ten minutes each.
