Monday, July 26, 2010:
From The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson:
So how was it?
How was what?
Prison.
He laughed. Would you believe me if I said it was like having a paid holiday with all the time you wanted for thinking and writing?
I would. I don’t suppose there’s much difference between a prison and a cloister, and people have always gone to cloisters for self-reflection.
Well there you go…
Except for the fact that they’re talking about prison in Sweden, which is much more humane than American prisons, I have to agree 100 percent.
It’s hard to adequately describe what prison life is like. Television and movies make it look so much worse than it actually is (I’m not talking about county jails, which are probably worse, according to my experience). It’s not all bad, and as with most trials and tribulations in life, if it is approached with a positive attitude, and if you look for the silver lining, you will find it.
I’m also reminded of the “promises” in the Alcoholics Anonymous big book: No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will not regret the past, nor wish to shut the door on it. We will see how our experience can benefit others.
When I am released back into society, I will not be able to afford to feel shame about my past. Shame was a major ingredient in my addiction. I will have to face the stigma of being an ex-felon with courage. I hope I can do that.
Read my book Running Away From Me.
Buy Running Away From Me as a Kindle format ebook.
