MyTimeToBlog
Every day I'm always going out of my way to check on the men around me. This started when I began studying psychology. I wanted to know what men were dealing with, and as I did, I made sure they knew someone in prison cared. That meant hugs, offering them food, and always asking them if they were OK. I've done this so much, that they recognized I'm being genuine when I stepped to them, offering my services.
Yesterday, I discovered the impact of what I've been doing. You see, I returned from work and decided to make an apple pie from scratch. I was utilizing the microwave to cook it when I started a conversation with a friend of mine. He's making a cake, so we're taking turns using the microwave. We're discussing our work day, my latest book (I'm More Than an Inmate on Wattpad), and his family. When we were done, I headed to my cell, and he did as well.
Our housing unit is a work unit, and the majority of the men were at work. So when I came out of my cell, I ventured to my friend's cell with the cake. He's at his footlocker, smearing a chocolate icing on the cake. I took a seat on the toilet and started up another conversation.
The funny thing about this guy was that he used to be a gang member, and from the West Coast. You would think we would be at odds, due to our East Coast, West Coast bias, but we're close friends. He believes in a higher power, he's also broken by his actions that led him to prison, and always willing to help you when in need. That's where I bond developed. He always gave great advice, sometimes long-winded in what he conveyed, but the jewels he offered made me listen. This was why I visited his cell.
I actually wanted to vent about my interaction with the negativity that surrounded us. I shared this, expressing that one man in particular was driving me crazy, because no matter how many seeds I planted, he couldn't be positive. My friend said, "You should still listen to him." He sighed, then placed the plastic knife with chocolate icing on it down. "I never shared this with anybody, but you came to me a while ago and asked if I was alright. I told you yeah, but you came back and said are you sure. Then you started acting your usual self, being funny, making me laugh." His smile reflected the impact of my presence: positive. "Tut, I planned to kill somebody, but you helped me change my ways just by being you. So when those being negative pop up, listen. You can say something to prevent them from doing something violent...like you did for me."
That had my eyes wide, like when I watched the Prey movie for the first time. I'm shocked. I'm surprised that he revealed something so real to me. I'm grateful that he didn't do anything crazy as going through with hurting someone. We spoke more as he offered me a piece of that amazing cake...but when I stepped away, I realized the power of are you OK?
I have a therapist for a friend. The knowledge that was handed down to me has been utilized on a daily basis. I give out hugs every day. I'm always asking my comrades about their day, family, their mental health, and I'm always an open cell door away if they need to speak with me in private. This is who I am, that's why I took up psychology, because when I was down in the dumps, emotionally, I prayed someone would come over and ask me if I was OK.
Being alone with your thoughts could keep you in a dark place. I know this firsthand because I lived with suicidal thoughts, that's why I'm in prison writing this. The impact of my past made me strive for more with an education on mental health. That's why when I present myself to my comrades and ask how are you doing, they're receptive. When they answered with, I'm good, I always follow up with are you sure?
A kind word always can change someone's day or life. That's the excellence of kindness and generosity. We never know what we may say to touch someone's heart and motivate change. What inspiring thing have you said to someone? Oh yeah, by the way, are you OK?