success. I was shocked that a year into my employment I was awarded Employee of the Month. I have had the opportunity to speak on multiple levels and at many events such as graduations, award ceremonies, and pod casts. I have bought a beautiful Spanish-style house with my former partner on 3-1/2 acres in Lakeport, California. On my 20th anniversary of being released from prison I bought my dream car, a 2021 Dodge Challenger. My 2 oldest children have graduated high school and are doing well. I have the chance every day of my life to pay forward the hope that was given to me. I remember looking at the stars through the window in prison, in the nursing home, in California, on the East Coast, and now every morning I go
They remind me of how I do and do not like to feel. And if we do not like to feel something we have to give it back to the person who gave it to us or give it to Creator who can handle anything. I thought that letting go was just forgetting about things. If I forget about my experiences, I don’t learn the lesson, and I may repeat it. I know that life is to be enjoyed and that my children don’t want presents from me, they want my presence. I have a deep desire to live the best life I can, to learn as much as I can, to take a lessons from everyone I meet and exchange knowledge with every person. I am not promised tomorrow, but what I am promised is unconditional love from God and the desire to keep building a life that I am proud of. I want to build a legacy that I can pass down to future generations. It is my goal to get my PhD
outside and look for the morning star. I think about all the blessings I have and list three things I am grateful for. I set intentions for the day and I think of ways I can make today better than yesterday. I realize we only get one shot at life and we cannot waste opportunities for improvement. In the evening at Sunset I think about what went right during the day and what I can improve on the next day. I review my goals and add new ones regularly. I graduated with my master’s degree in social work from Cal Poly Humboldt in 2023. I am the cofounder of the nonprofit Sacred Life Recovery Services,
in organizational leadership so I can grow Sacred Life Recovery Services in reservations all over the United States. I want to keep teaching people about historical trauma which I believe is a mental health disorder with symptomology, as is racism. We have to heal them both to move forward as one: the human race, children of God. When I see something that needs to be done in this world, I will not be quiet. I went to school so I could learn how to make good trouble. I don’t know what tomorrow brings but what I know is I am going to
I wanted to end my own life. I was pretty sure that I would mess that up too. It seemed I messed everything in my life up.
greet it with the desire to live in the moment and enjoy every second. I may walk with a limp for the rest of my life and have limited use of my right arm, but I am forever blessed. As I type this article I take a break, put my hand over my heart, take a deep breath and feel fresh air going in and out of my lungs. I feel my heart pumping blood through my body, I look up with sky through my office window and I give thanks to Creator for another day and another moment- -another chance to make a difference. It is not just Monday. It is another five days that I have to make a difference. I am taking a year break from school to write my book which I have decided to call, “My Stroke of Luck”. I know that the worst times in my entire life happened for a reason to bring me to this very minute and have this very opportunity to share my story and deal Hope. Nothing in this world happens by mistake. God will always guide us and help us through. The world is not always fair, but I can be fair to myself and continue to give myself opportunity and Grace. I will continue to love the life I live, and live the life I love.
which I operate with my best friend Raevan Shepherd and some of dearest friends and mentors. It is our goal to start a group home for youth, a residential treatment program, an SLE, a detox, and a home for elders that is culturally appropriate but open to all open minded, beautiful people. I live every day of my life by looking at the lessons I have had in life and learning from them. From our experiences we get lessons, from our lessons we get knowledge, and from our knowledge we gain wisdom. We are not born with hatred, mistrust, or negativity in life. We are taught those things by the world. We are born with connection and love. I was a prisoner in my own mind for years, and then I was a prisoner of my own body, and until I freed my spirit I could never experience serenity. I am so in love with my life now. I am full of gratitude, and I have learned to forgive the unforgivable. I practiced these principles in my daily affairs and if I were to pass tomorrow, I will have nothing on my heart that is unsettled. I know that after 15 years in recovery, I can handle anything without the use of substances. I now realize that emotions are reminders.
Thank you for listening.
37
HOPE is Now
02323 Hope Is Now May/June v2.indd 37
6/22/23 9:29 AM
Made with FlippingBook interactive PDF creator