IT DOESN’T TAKE THAT MUCH

2 PARAGRAPHS 4 LIBERTY: 414

As I have told you before, a few years ago I was a guest on George Noory’s syndicated national radio show entitled “Coast to Coast” where I was discussing criminal justice issues. As a result of that broadcast I received letters from twelve men who are incarcerated in prisons all around our country. So I started corresponding with them to the degree that now there are about 40 of them. And, you know something, even though many of them have been convicted of substantial criminal offenses, they are actually human! And they respond to suggestions, accurate praise and incentives just like you and I do. So, for example, when I tell some of my correspondents that I am proud of them for taking classes to further their education or for helping some of their colleagues with their problems, that often results in more classes being taken and more help being given. And all of us are in a position to do the same with other people, and it will work – as long as we are being truthful. People logically respond to praise, just as they do to rightful and consistent punishments. Of course, it helps that I am a retired judge who is telling these men that I am proud of them, but ALL of us are in a position to do the same thing with people in need.

Furthermore, virtually all of these men have gifts of some kind that they can share with others and, with some positive feedback, will do just that. For example, one of my correspondents turns out to be a gifted painter, and he sent me a wonderful original painting. Wow! So, after asking him if he would be interested in selling his paintings, and he responded that he would, I took my painting to two art shops in Laguna Beach to see if they would be interested in working with him. And the answer was yes, so now he is creating requested paintings, sending them to at least one of these shops on consignment, and getting paid for his work. As a result, everyone is winning. And it doesn’t take that much on our part to bring about these happy results. Another of my correspondents is also not only an artist but also writes poetry. One of his poems, entitled “On Parole,” is enclosed with this article for your information and appreciation. I started to say “enjoyment,” but it is truly hard to be on parole, and this poem brings that reality home. But it is also gratifying to be able to help people who have made mistakes by helping them to see that they can be appreciated and successful. Accordingly, if any of you in our 2 Paragraphs Family would like to become a correspondent with any of my group of men, please let me know and I can put you into contact with one or more of them. (But I recommend you do as I do and use an office address instead of a home address for this correspondence.)

Thought for the week: You come from dust, and you will return to dust. That’s why I don’t dust because it could be someone I know . . .