NEVER lose HOPE

I wrote the piece below when I was inmate #314525E. You see, many people view my life now from the vantage point of, “Isn’t he lucky that so many things have worked out for him.”  And so, I want to remind you where this piece was penned—in a dark place, often surrounded by lots of shady people and in the vice-grip of a system that is bent on squeezing the worst out of you.  And yet because I understood WHO my God was/is---I NEVER lost hope and determined to deal hope to all those who the Lord placed around me---within prison and now outside of prison.So…as you read this piece, ponder the question of whether you are a dealer or a stealer?_______________________________________________________________________________________________

At any given time, you’re either a dealer of hope or a stealer of hope.  Both trains of thought cannot co-exist at the same time.  It’s one line at a time, and like a railroad, you’re either on the right track or in the wrong cart and going nowhere fast.  As a dealer of hope, your life’s example shows that there is something to live for in the future.  You’re a conductor taking those attached to you in the direction where they may not have been able to take themselves.  You deal it!  And that’s what makes you way more attractive than those who steal it.Conversely, stealers of hope only need to put one railroad stake in your mind to keep you from getting to where you need to be on time.  If they can stop you before you’re moving, than it doesn’t matter how big your locomotives potential may be, because all it takes is one wedge on the track and the train won’t move past the nemesis of speed—stuck!  But just get that train in motion and the momentum of hope will push you through any wedge of negative emotion.  And once hope gives you the speed, not even a brick wall in your path can stop you from exemplifying what all people need. HOPE!And that’s what hope affords. So, be a dealer of hope and let those around you hitch up to your leadership no matter where you reside; because when you give someone hope, you give them a future.