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| 23 Dec 2007 03:03:17 am |
 REALLY? |
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| If I had my life to live all over again it would not look much different than it does now. I would still want to keep the bad and the trying times, as they are the ones that keep me humble. I would want to keep the folks that treated me like I did not exist, as they are the reason I am so mindfull of those around me. I would definitely want to keep the people who looked out for me, even when I thought I was not worth it. They are definitely the ones responsible for me wanting to help others even when others think they shoud die because they deserve nothing good. It is my hope that everyone with whom I come in contact will benefit from my company and I from their's. As my friend Shirly always say "love is where I come from" and I believe it totally. I live my life in accordance to that and as a result I have no regrets. Life is truly what you make it, so make the best of it. |
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Category : General
| By : kevinwal |  Comments [0] |  Trackbacks [183443] |
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| 13 Dec 2007 12:34:00 am |
| Security |
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Every day I live I see more and more that all things will be well in Jamaica. For the longest time we have had a problem, people have been suffering for the longest time but could not afford to pay the media to publish their sufferings. But somehow the have nots were given a glimpse of success and they now know what it feels like to rich, because they have seen many to whom they are close get rich, who later come back and spend freely.
So here's the real story. A young man grows up in the innercity, sees nothing around him but suffering, but typically his mother is in the United States and sends for him. He goes and in no time he is introduced to the good life, well, at least to a way where he can make large sums of money and make something of himself. He lives the life where he is always on the streets, early in the night, late at nights and still in the middle of the afternoon, constantly looking over his shoulder, running from the police, but making a ton of money. Though it's a life of uneasiness, he does it and loves it because he can now spend without worry.
He is back in Jamaica as often as he can, he wants to do all the things he was unable to do prior to migrating. So he ships in a car, buys a house and furnish it with the most expensive furniture one can emagine. He is on the scene and he is loving it. Everyone sees him as being rich, he gets what he wants, does whatever he wants and persons looking on wants that. They sit and look at him and want what he has.
So natturally people ask him for stuff and he freely gives it. He has now become what is known as the
Don. He recruits a bunch of soldiers to do things for him and while they remain in the innercity, he lives in an affluent neighbourhood. He demands respect and he gets it, and if he doesn't, then someone will have to fix it, if you know what I mean.
The fact that he lives where he does means that the purity and safety that some uptown folks thought they had is now officially gone and they now start to worry about the crime rate. Members of their family becomes victims and suddenly it is an outrange, the things that are happeingin in our country. They get licence fireharms, high electronic gates and SUV's, thinking this can save them, but their sons are going to school with the Don's son and before you know it, your security has been breached.
The poor gets righ and the rich gets worried, security has been breached. And somewhere, somehow, we are working it out in some crazy way, we finally have something in common, we all want to feel safe. |
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Category : General
| By : kevinwal | Comments [0] | Trackbacks [220372] |
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| 07 Dec 2007 01:36:47 pm |
| How Did I Get Here |
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It is often said that if you can see it, feel it, you can achieve it. For most of our lives we have been hearing from others what we can and cannot do, and unless we bump into someone who knows differently, we will go through life thinking that they are right. If you think about it for a moment you will see that unless you are really mentally strong, you internalize whatever is happening in your environment and it becomes who you are. In reality, you can't exist in a bubble and if that is the case how does one protect their minds from the self defeating stuff that is around us every moment of every day. In my view the answer to that is simple, but then again it's not until you get into the habit of monitoring your thinking that you will start to see changes. It would also be good if one spends time with and for themselves in the morning and periodically throughout the day as well, this doesn't have to be long, it just has to be done. It could be listening to music, reading a book or having conversation with someone you enjoy spending time with. The key to this is, while you are doing it you must be fully awake and in the moment. Mind doesn't control the man. Man controls the mind.
Whatever your present situation, change your thinking and your situation changes, and thats the truth. |
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Category : General
| By : kevinwal | Comments [0] | Trackbacks [196591] |
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| 06 Dec 2007 02:59:39 pm |
| Finding the Balance |
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Each day I live I want to give the very best, the best of me. This line taken from a Whitney Houston song. It means so much to me right now because for the past fifteen years this is the path I have been on, I want to live a life where I know I am always improving, but not only me, but also my environment. I want to know that all things are progressing. I thought at first that there was some magic that was supposed to happen or that there is something that would transform my little space and then I would start seeing things in a light that would produce all the clarity I seek, but I have come to realize that its even simpler than that. All I have to do is give in to the process and follow the instructions of the universe, many of which have been pointed out in the Bible, formulate good thoughts, be of good cheer, and give the gift of prosperity. I have learnt that I can have everything in life that I want, however, I have to help othes get what they want.
The patterns of our thoughts are very important and for those of us who are in the business of helping others, our first step should be helping those around us to develpo right thinking, as the right mentality is essential to whatever it is that we may want to accomplish. In order for me to help the poor, I don't need to think like the poor, my aim is to help the poor think wealth and feel wealthy. Once that has been established then the law of attraction will step in and where there was no way, a way will be made. The great thing about this is that you can begin where you are with what you have, and out of nothing and out of no way, a way will be made.
As a man thinketh, so is he. Spend time working on your thinking. Mike Dooley says "thoughts become things" and he is right. |
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Category : General
| By : kevinwal | Comments [0] | Trackbacks [209478] |
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| 11 Nov 2007 08:24:13 pm |
| The Truth About It |
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Every now and then someting happens that causes me to take a closer look at the work that I have been doing with the Department of Correctional Services. Though I don't do this for credit I still want to know that I am given the respect that is due. So first things first. Thanks to Desmond Green and the late Lewis Frazer Bennet for introducing me to the prison. The momnent I received that first phone call from Lewis my life has not been the same since, my life has become purposeful, though all I did in the early days of the SET program was speak to the men in the prison and have discussions on whatever we would read in the news papers, it's important to mention because it sets the stage for what was to come. The SET program went from the days when we would have to meet under a mango tree to now we boast a zero recidivism rate. The members of SET do not return to prison because as a part of the program, members are taught to find the lesson in their present situation and understand it. The moment you are able to understand it, you can begin to work on yourself and the work on self is what's most important. Once you know who you are, where you are, you will also know what you will need to do to get to where you want to go. The group is structured as such that each member is your mentor and you are a mentor to others as well. They are all on a journey together. But clearly understanding self is not all, if one is spiritually solid but lack the tools to earn a living then one is still limited and without the ability to feed one's self, it is likely that they will find alternate ways to survive, some of which may land them back behind bars.
Each member is first assessed and then given a plan, one that seeks to assist in getting them to where they want to go. This can sometimes be a challenge due to the fact that we have a large membership with almost everyone on a different level and with different needs, thus with limited resources it makes it quite difficult at times, however, without method it's a little easier to get by. Each member of the group understands that they are required to share their knowledge with others and as a result you will see members mentoring other members, and when those being mentored get to a particular level they mentor others, and that is truly how the group sustains itself. It's inmate driven and thats the power of it, those who we seek to help are integrally involved in the process, they choose and we support.
The group is organized much the same as a service club with individuals in specific areas which are important to the community they serve. There is a President, a Treasurer, a Chaplin, an Advisor, a Secretary and two Vice Presidents. Each Vice President is responsible for four Directors, each Director is allowed to select five persons for his committee. With such a structure there is always accountability and thus the groups functions more efficiently. Two formal meetings are held each week, a executive meeting where the members of the executive discuss what's happening in their portfolio, new ideas are also put on the table, discussions are had and a way forward is then worked out. A second meeting is held with the general membership. The purpose of this meeting is to inform the group of the direction in which they are going and to take any questions, concerns and or ideas they might have. During the general meeting members are encouraged to participate in a lively discussion which forms a part of the agenda. Throughout the course of the week executive training sesssions are held for two hours during the midday lock down. In these sesssions members of the executive are expected to participate in training. Sometimes its a refresher course, other times it is introduction to a new software. The executive group is expected to get familiar with the subject matter in such a way that they can teach others. For the initial introduction we sometimes bring in experts to give a proper introduction to the new product we are about to teach. However, if we are unable to find an expert then we select members of the group who are then given selected parts of the manual and are expted to create a lesson plan from which they can teach the rest of the executive members who will in turn, teach the general membership. Naturally you will find that persons excel one area more then others therefore members of the executive are expected to teach in the area they are most comfortable. We are activly seeking patnerships with individuals and/or entities who can hire these individual upon release from the institution as well offer certification.
What I want to do in the next little while is give you a real look at what has happened since this group started almost eight years ago. It's a lot to digest ot once and I want you to understand so I will give you a detailed play by play, don't worry this journey will be fun, its a story filled with challenges, however you, like us, will feel a sense of victory with each winfall and there are many of those. |
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Category : General
| By : kevinwal | Comments [0] | Trackbacks [4234] |
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