Can a three week prison stay turn a person? Hotel heiress Paris Hilton says yes. In her comments to people magazine Paris said, "I'm a good person. I'm a compassionate person. I have a big heart. I'm sincere, and they'll see." All comments made from a person who has received more media attentiveness for her incarceration than Martha Stewart received from hers.
The media attentiveness and scrutiny for most people would be unbearable. Paris, of course, is accustomed to the limelight. Yet, with the frenzy of attentiveness she is receiving, we all know that the first slip up will capture the headlines. And, speaking from experience, Paris needs time to reflect beyond her incarceration time. She needs the occasion to search for what is important and how she can make a difference.
Having served time in Federal prison for a crime more serious than drunk driving, I, too, had the time to feel the isolation and reflection that incarceration brings. Of course, like most, there was no media attentiveness surround my time in jail - only close friends and house cared. But, finding back on the experience, now some eleven years ago, I can undoubtedly say that it was the best thing that ever happened to me. It was a life changing feel - one that I will never repeat and one that I will never forget.
Often I'm asked, "So what was that feel like anyway?" Well, distinct than most would think. In my case, I was incarcerated in a Federal Minimum safety facility - what some call "Club Fed." Let me say at the outset, I was no "club" but undoubtedly "Fed" all the way. Each inmate was required to work - other than for healing reasons - no exceptions. You do get paid (it's against the law to wish work for no pay - that's called "slavery") - I earned 12 cents per hour. Fortunately at that meager earning level it was tax free!
Paris said of her stay that, "All of the inmates were very supportive." I found that to be true as well. Of course, using good God given tasteless sense - there was those folks you just knew to stay away from. But, for the most part, most inmates felt the same as I - we knew we were being punished and had to make the best of it. It seems that after the release - re incarceration fiasco, Paris resigned herself to make the best of the situation at hand. In truth, situations like this can be extraordinary blessings in disguise.
In a quote featured on Cnn, it's reported that Hilton said, "Don't serve the time; let the time serve you." That statement is profound. From personal feel I have seen both approaches to jail time. There are those who are doing time - who see no value to come from it - who just take a day at a time with no hope gain. On the other hand, there were those who I was incarcerated with who used their time wisely. Many wrote - spent time planning for how they would advantage other once released and there were some of us who benefited other while incarcerated.
Very few people get the (odd) gift that incarceration can bring. As I look back to a time that was less than pleasant - I recall having lost everything. My marriage was in shambles. I had no home - no job - no car - no occupation and roughly no possessions other than some clothes. Yet, being stripped of everything was just what I needed to focus on why I was there and what it meant to "be somebody." The time I had to self reflect proved to be some of the most considerable time of my life. It gave me a occasion to learn who I was and what my gift to the world could be. Being in prison was one of the best things that ever happened to me. As Paris Hilton said about being incarcerated, it gave her "time to get to know myself." What a gift.
As a motivational speaker and sales menagerial in a publicly traded company, I often have the occasion to share my experiences. Most people, especially in the enterprise community, don't know person who has been to prison - and recovered. Whether straight through a keynote speech, motivational workshop or ethics presentation, the message can be suited to those willing to hear. Every choice we make has a consequence. Consequences are unavoidable. The reality, however, is that the consequence can be Whether confident or negative. straight through our actions we choose. My bad choices yielded a negative consequence. Subsequent good choices have provided an outstandingly confident result.
Paris has a unique occasion ahead of her. With focus and estimation she can have a profound and confident consequent on those who watch her closely. Perhaps we should all hold out hope that Paris can do on a much broader scale what I've had the fortune to achieve - that is bring a message of hope that there is recovery and redemption to those who make the right choices.
For more facts on presentations on Choices visit http://www.chuckgallagher.com
great post to read Does Prison convert You - Paris Vows Yes great post to read
No comments:
Post a Comment