Why Is Empowering and Supporting People Who Are Incarcerated Selfish?

Nothing is more fulfilling and inspiring than uplifting and empowering another. I find that it is generous to receive. Mostly people want to show to everyone else that they got everything handled. As one of my mentors said, human beings are in the business of “looking good.”

To be open to receive support takes a certain vulnerability that comes from someone who is real and honest about how they feel and their experiences.

I used to go to the Midnight Mission many times on a weekly basis and then a church in Skidrow to meet with our community of formerly incarcerated.

Where we met did not smell good and once in a while there were large rats running across the room where we had our meeting.

However, each person at the meeting was real and open and vulnerable. I would listen to each of them intently and heard the block that was holding them captive. I was confrontational, rigorous and not backing down so they each would be willing to see themselves as deserving and capable.  They knew I wanted what was best for them.

They each were receptive and would get empowered and many times inspired. I was there to empower them; but really I was empowered being with them and inspired.

Yes with my profession, I am surrounded by professionals and successful businessmen and women. They are all good and wonderful people.

But if you ever sit down with an incarcerated person or a formerly incarcerated, you will experience the authenticity, gratitude, and openness of a human being on a much deeper level than people who are consumed by making something happen.

I am not saying it is not good to want to make something happen.

Look, I went to those meetings in Skidrow to have folks living there to be open to have a vision for themselves and make things happen for themselves.

But I realize it is the human connection that is most gratifying. And my formerly incarcerated folks in Skidrow allowed for this human connection that is not available to me in the world of “successful people.”

If you want to experience awe, inspiration, fulfillment, and aliveness, join me in uplifting and connecting with our people in prisons and /or formerly incarcerated.