When you fulfill your obligations to others you ultimately fulfill an obligation to yourself.
http://www.choosetodoright.com/
Showing posts with label Parole. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Parole. Show all posts
December 11, 2010
December 6, 2010
Judging right and wrong
The easiest way to judge between right and wrong is to assess the potential consequences of our choices and behavior. We should also examine whether our values, standards, and beliefs are causing the consequences we want in our lives.
http://www.choosetodoright.com/
http://www.choosetodoright.com/
December 4, 2010
A Clean Conscience
Our conscience is like a mirror in which our soul reflects upon itself and weighs what it sees against the highest standard of reality we perceive. And, much like any mirror, this reflection will become more realistic and clearer when we clean it. When we eliminate the blemishes caused by our past atrocities (along with their excuses and justifications) we enable ourselves to recognize reality and see things more clearly. Not only do we increase our ability to realistically judge between wrong and right, but we also augment our human capacity to be emotionally guided by this judgment.
http://www.choosetodoright.com/
http://www.choosetodoright.com/
December 2, 2010
Our Conscience
I believe that as human beings we are innately moral creatures. Most of us have the internal ability to judge between right and wrong, good and bad. And, we have the capacity to be emotionally guided by this judgment. We have a conscience. However, listening to our conscience requires effort and sacrifice. It requires choosing to pay attention.
November 30, 2010
Reaching Goals
We should always focus on the little steps that are necessary to achieve our goals and struggle to build a successful life like we would a house - one brick at a time.
http://www.choosetodoright.com/
http://www.choosetodoright.com/
November 15, 2010
Responsible Relationships
In order to be handled responsibly, every relationship, no matter how intimate or casual it may be, requires the ability to see things from another’s point of view.
http://www.choosetodoright.com/
http://www.choosetodoright.com/
November 9, 2010
The key to making good decisions
When we judge others, we should pretend that we are the ones who are being judged. Only then will we be able to judge fairly. When we buy we should imagine that we are the seller, and when we sell we should perceive ourselves as the buyer. Then we can buy and sell with integrity. When we are offended, we should imagine that we are the offender and when we hurt someone, we should envision ourselves as the ones being hurt. Only then can we show true mercy and sincere sorrow.
http://www.choosetodoright.com/
http://www.choosetodoright.com/
June 20, 2010
Integrity
To be successful we must develop a consistent personal integrity which is based on our responsible purpose and guided by an uncompromising morality. We must start making the right choices in all situations, not simply to avoid punishment, but because we recognize that this type of behavior is the most beneficial for ourselves and those around us. And, because we truly believe that it is the right thing to do. In the end, if we can get to the point where our moral abilities have become habitual, then we will become more productive and successful in life. Instead of continuously struggling to simply deter irresponsible and criminal thoughts and behavior, we will be able to concentrate more on our spiritual, physical and mental growth.
http://www.choosetodoright.com/
http://www.choosetodoright.com/
June 16, 2010
Right and Wrong
I believe that as human beings we are innately moral creatures. Most of us have the internal ability to judge between right and wrong, good and bad. And, we have the capacity to be emotionally guided by this judgment. We have a conscience. However, listening to our conscience requires effort and sacrifice. It requires choosing to pay attention.
http://www.choosetodoright.com/
http://www.choosetodoright.com/
May 19, 2010
Following the Rules
In order to live harmoniously and be productive in a free society, we must learn to abide by the rules. Contrary to the opinion of many people, rules are not made to be broken. Although we may not personally agree with, or even understand all the rules which are set forth by representatives of society, the majority of them have a good reason and purpose behind them. While most rules are intended to inhibit individuals from infringing on the rights of others and to prevent them from hurting themselves, the rest are usually a consequence of someone else’s actions - one person messes it up for everyone else.
If we don’t like a rule, then we have the option to go through the necessary steps to responsibly get it changed. We can circulate petitions, plan lawful protests, and argue our case in front of those who are responsible for making and imposing the rules and laws. However, we must never allow ourselves to view rules as optional or intended for other people. We must follow all the rules no matter how petty, meaningless, "stupid", or obscure they may be. If we choose to follow our past patterns of complaining about, arguing about, bending, and just plain disregarding the rules we don’t like or understand, we will assuredly fail in our attempt to change - and we’ll suffer the consequences. And realistically, if we can’t follow the rules set forth by a free society, if we can’t accept the responsibilities which are our intrinsic part of freedom, then we don’t deserve to be free.
http://www.choosetodoright.com/
If we don’t like a rule, then we have the option to go through the necessary steps to responsibly get it changed. We can circulate petitions, plan lawful protests, and argue our case in front of those who are responsible for making and imposing the rules and laws. However, we must never allow ourselves to view rules as optional or intended for other people. We must follow all the rules no matter how petty, meaningless, "stupid", or obscure they may be. If we choose to follow our past patterns of complaining about, arguing about, bending, and just plain disregarding the rules we don’t like or understand, we will assuredly fail in our attempt to change - and we’ll suffer the consequences. And realistically, if we can’t follow the rules set forth by a free society, if we can’t accept the responsibilities which are our intrinsic part of freedom, then we don’t deserve to be free.
http://www.choosetodoright.com/
May 5, 2010
Our Self-Esteem
We must learn to transfer our source of approval and criticism from others to ourselves. If we continue to allow others to influence our perception of ourselves and dictate how we are going to respond, then it is our own fault, not theirs. Realistically, we can never become what other people think of us unless we allow them to dictate what we think of ourselves. The only way that the thoughtless and immature words and behaviors of others can hurt us is if, through our response to these words and behaviors, we empower them to.
When we value belonging, being accepted, and being perceived as special above our own integrity and self-esteem, then we lose control, and we diminish our ability to grow and change. We also tend to distort reality. However, if we simply refuse to allow others to unrealistically influence how we perceive ourselves, regardless of what they do or say, then we give ourselves the freedom to dictate our own responses and control our own lives. We empower ourselves to grow and change.
http://www.choosetodoright.com/
When we value belonging, being accepted, and being perceived as special above our own integrity and self-esteem, then we lose control, and we diminish our ability to grow and change. We also tend to distort reality. However, if we simply refuse to allow others to unrealistically influence how we perceive ourselves, regardless of what they do or say, then we give ourselves the freedom to dictate our own responses and control our own lives. We empower ourselves to grow and change.
http://www.choosetodoright.com/
March 8, 2010
The Rewards of Responsible Living
It is important to start our responsible journey with a positive perspective and attitude. We’ve all lived responsibly at various times in the past. To succeed now, we must simply put together a series of these responsible choices and begin to stabilize our lives. And we must believe in ourselves.
Responsible living has many rewards. A major one is the peace of mind that comes with a clean conscience. We will no longer need to constantly look over our shoulder, and worry about being caught and punished.
Living responsibly also brings with it true personal freedom.
• Freedom to realize our potential
• Freedom to use our talents
• Freedom from personal jeopardy
• Freedom to grow and develop
• Freedom from the misery of a guilty conscience
• Freedom to openly be ourselves.
The constant worry and anxiety that are part of living a life of lies will disappear. Instead, there will be a sense of pride, self-respect and integrity. Spiritual and intellectual suffocation will be replaced with the sense of accomplishment and self-esteem that comes from an honest day’s work. Gradually, we will begin to trust ourselves and earn the trust and respect of others.
These rewards are non-existent in the criminal way of life. As criminals, we are never satisfied. The more we get, the more we want. The more we succeed, the more we crave success. The more we prove ourselves, the more often we feel the need to prove ourselves again. Nothing is ever good enough for us, not even ourselves.
Sure a criminal life can be exciting, but that’s not to say that a responsible life is devoid of excitement or pleasure. It simply takes a different form. And over time, it becomes even more exciting, pleasurable, and fulfilling as we begin to build a life for ourselves and start earning the trust and respect of others. With this comes an inner peace that money can’t buy.
http://www.choosetodoright.com/
Responsible living has many rewards. A major one is the peace of mind that comes with a clean conscience. We will no longer need to constantly look over our shoulder, and worry about being caught and punished.
Living responsibly also brings with it true personal freedom.
• Freedom to realize our potential
• Freedom to use our talents
• Freedom from personal jeopardy
• Freedom to grow and develop
• Freedom from the misery of a guilty conscience
• Freedom to openly be ourselves.
The constant worry and anxiety that are part of living a life of lies will disappear. Instead, there will be a sense of pride, self-respect and integrity. Spiritual and intellectual suffocation will be replaced with the sense of accomplishment and self-esteem that comes from an honest day’s work. Gradually, we will begin to trust ourselves and earn the trust and respect of others.
These rewards are non-existent in the criminal way of life. As criminals, we are never satisfied. The more we get, the more we want. The more we succeed, the more we crave success. The more we prove ourselves, the more often we feel the need to prove ourselves again. Nothing is ever good enough for us, not even ourselves.
Sure a criminal life can be exciting, but that’s not to say that a responsible life is devoid of excitement or pleasure. It simply takes a different form. And over time, it becomes even more exciting, pleasurable, and fulfilling as we begin to build a life for ourselves and start earning the trust and respect of others. With this comes an inner peace that money can’t buy.
http://www.choosetodoright.com/
March 6, 2010
The Consequences of Responsible Living
In order to prepare ourselves to live responsibly, it is important to recognize and accept all of the consequences of our decision to change. Not only must we understand the rewarding consequences, but also the difficult ones. If we ever hope to change in a lasting way, we must start by understanding what change really means – and what it entails.
The consequences of our decision to live a responsible life can be as difficult as they are rewarding and enjoyable. Living responsibly requires more effort and sacrifice than simply doing what we want when we want to do it. Taking responsibility entails problem solving, fact finding, sacrifice, and self-motivation. We must learn to deal constructively with disappointment and adversity. And, we need to accept restraints and acknowledge that we cannot control everything.
We will also have to do things that, in the past, were difficult for us. We will need to swallow our pride and resist our desire to get even when we feel disrespected. And, we will be required to put the needs and feelings of others above our own.
To live responsibly, we will have to follow all the rules - even those we don’t understand or agree with. We might not comprehend the necessity of a certain rule, however, that does not give us license to disregard it. Certainly, if we do not understand a rule or think it is unfair, we can attempt to have it changed. But, we cannot ever behave as if it doesn’t exist just because it doesn’t fall in line with our own idea of what is right.
As we begin to struggle with responsibility, it is inevitable that at times we will become bored and even somewhat depressed. We will miss the excitement of our past way of life. However, we can relieve the boredom by continuously focusing on all the little details of changing ourselves and learning to live responsibly.
http://www.choosetodoright.com/
The consequences of our decision to live a responsible life can be as difficult as they are rewarding and enjoyable. Living responsibly requires more effort and sacrifice than simply doing what we want when we want to do it. Taking responsibility entails problem solving, fact finding, sacrifice, and self-motivation. We must learn to deal constructively with disappointment and adversity. And, we need to accept restraints and acknowledge that we cannot control everything.
We will also have to do things that, in the past, were difficult for us. We will need to swallow our pride and resist our desire to get even when we feel disrespected. And, we will be required to put the needs and feelings of others above our own.
To live responsibly, we will have to follow all the rules - even those we don’t understand or agree with. We might not comprehend the necessity of a certain rule, however, that does not give us license to disregard it. Certainly, if we do not understand a rule or think it is unfair, we can attempt to have it changed. But, we cannot ever behave as if it doesn’t exist just because it doesn’t fall in line with our own idea of what is right.
As we begin to struggle with responsibility, it is inevitable that at times we will become bored and even somewhat depressed. We will miss the excitement of our past way of life. However, we can relieve the boredom by continuously focusing on all the little details of changing ourselves and learning to live responsibly.
http://www.choosetodoright.com/
February 25, 2010
Do Something
Although most guys leave prison with the intention of never returning, the high recidivism rates prove them wrong. The fact is that no true change can ever happen without the proper focus, effort and endurance. No one is going to eliminate a lifetime of irresponsible thoughts and behaviors overnight. True change doesn’t happen magically – it requires you to do something.
February 21, 2010
A proven path to Criminal Rehabilitation - Success through responsible living
Is someone you love in Prison...or headed there?
Are they making poor choices and decisions?
Are they unhappy with the way their life is turning out?
My name is Andrew Matson. In 1991 I was convicted of burglary and theft and sentenced to 30 years in prison as a Habitual Criminal. For most people this would be the end of the story, but for me it was just the beginning.
While sitting alone in a prison cell I realized that unless I did something to turn my life around that nothing was ever going to change. I decided then that I wanted much more out of life than “3 hot’s and a cot” in a prison cell so I set out on a journey of discovery and change.
Some may say that people can’t change, but I know firsthand that they can. Miracles can happen with the right focus and the right tools. Throughout a journey that has spanned over two decades I have discovered the keys necessary to turn my life around and become a successful contributing member of society.
Over the years I kept a record of my journey and wrote down everything that I discovered about myself and the men that I spent time with in prison. This journal became the foundation of my book “Choose to do Right – A proven path to criminal rehabilitation”. My book outlines over 40 different errors in thinking and perception that lead to irresponsible behavior and crime. This life changing book also provides strategies and suggestions for overcoming these errors in thinking and perception, leading to a more responsible and productive life. My goal is to help people change the basic paradigms through which they see the world and enable them see themselves and the world around them from a more responsible perspective. I am living proof that the principles and concepts surrounding this paradigm shift can work.
During my incarceration I was blessed with the opportunity to participate in some programs (“Project Tomorrow” and “Shape-Up”) in which I was able to work with at risk youth and experience the inner joy and satisfaction that can come from helping others. This experience helped me to define my purpose and to discover my calling in life. My dream is to help others avoid making the same mistakes that I made, and to help give them the tools necessary to turn their lives around and be happy and successful. By helping others make responsible decisions, I feel that not only can I add meaning and purpose to my life, but also help to keep myself properly focused on living responsibly.
In my 15 years in prison I never meet anyone who wanted to spend their life in prison. Every prisoner had the desire to get out and stay out. However, as recidivism rates sadly show, most of them do return to prison. This isn’t due to a lack of desire. Nobody wants to be in prison. It is simply due to the fact that these people don’t have the knowledge and tools necessary to be successful once they get out. They are not prepared to live responsibly.
Since my release in 2003, I have graduated form the University of Colorado with a degree in Psychology, worked my way up the corporate ladder to become Vice President of a multi-national company, served in a variety of volunteer positions in my church and in the community, and been a productive member of society. I currently live with my wife and 4 children in Parker Colorado and continue to be successful as I apply the principles of responsible living in my own life.
There is hope – people can turn their lives around and become successful!! And with over 7.3 million people currently in the prison system in the US according to the Denver Post (Denver Post, Tuesday March 3, 2009, pg. 6A) there are many people who could benefit from my book. Almost 19 years ago I was convicted as a Habitual criminal. If I can turn my life around, anyone can do it. Using the strategies and tools that are outlined in my book anyone can turn their lives around and become a successful, productive member of society. For anyone who has ever had a problem with making the wrong choices and decisions in any aspect of their lives, this book is a must read!!
For more information about me or my book please visit my website http://www.choosetodoright.com/
Are they making poor choices and decisions?
Are they unhappy with the way their life is turning out?
My name is Andrew Matson. In 1991 I was convicted of burglary and theft and sentenced to 30 years in prison as a Habitual Criminal. For most people this would be the end of the story, but for me it was just the beginning.
While sitting alone in a prison cell I realized that unless I did something to turn my life around that nothing was ever going to change. I decided then that I wanted much more out of life than “3 hot’s and a cot” in a prison cell so I set out on a journey of discovery and change.
Some may say that people can’t change, but I know firsthand that they can. Miracles can happen with the right focus and the right tools. Throughout a journey that has spanned over two decades I have discovered the keys necessary to turn my life around and become a successful contributing member of society.
Over the years I kept a record of my journey and wrote down everything that I discovered about myself and the men that I spent time with in prison. This journal became the foundation of my book “Choose to do Right – A proven path to criminal rehabilitation”. My book outlines over 40 different errors in thinking and perception that lead to irresponsible behavior and crime. This life changing book also provides strategies and suggestions for overcoming these errors in thinking and perception, leading to a more responsible and productive life. My goal is to help people change the basic paradigms through which they see the world and enable them see themselves and the world around them from a more responsible perspective. I am living proof that the principles and concepts surrounding this paradigm shift can work.
During my incarceration I was blessed with the opportunity to participate in some programs (“Project Tomorrow” and “Shape-Up”) in which I was able to work with at risk youth and experience the inner joy and satisfaction that can come from helping others. This experience helped me to define my purpose and to discover my calling in life. My dream is to help others avoid making the same mistakes that I made, and to help give them the tools necessary to turn their lives around and be happy and successful. By helping others make responsible decisions, I feel that not only can I add meaning and purpose to my life, but also help to keep myself properly focused on living responsibly.
In my 15 years in prison I never meet anyone who wanted to spend their life in prison. Every prisoner had the desire to get out and stay out. However, as recidivism rates sadly show, most of them do return to prison. This isn’t due to a lack of desire. Nobody wants to be in prison. It is simply due to the fact that these people don’t have the knowledge and tools necessary to be successful once they get out. They are not prepared to live responsibly.
Since my release in 2003, I have graduated form the University of Colorado with a degree in Psychology, worked my way up the corporate ladder to become Vice President of a multi-national company, served in a variety of volunteer positions in my church and in the community, and been a productive member of society. I currently live with my wife and 4 children in Parker Colorado and continue to be successful as I apply the principles of responsible living in my own life.
There is hope – people can turn their lives around and become successful!! And with over 7.3 million people currently in the prison system in the US according to the Denver Post (Denver Post, Tuesday March 3, 2009, pg. 6A) there are many people who could benefit from my book. Almost 19 years ago I was convicted as a Habitual criminal. If I can turn my life around, anyone can do it. Using the strategies and tools that are outlined in my book anyone can turn their lives around and become a successful, productive member of society. For anyone who has ever had a problem with making the wrong choices and decisions in any aspect of their lives, this book is a must read!!
For more information about me or my book please visit my website http://www.choosetodoright.com/
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