RE: Re: My own prison

[Guest guest]

Hi susan:-)thanks for sharing ur wonderful story here. very inspiring indeed. Faith is the most imp. value for me too:-). u stated some wonderful points in both ur emails. amongst many that others i thought were very insightful, i especially like this one<<I react to my life circumstances instead of responding to them.>>>wasalaam:-)-K Designs."" Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes.

That way, when you criticize them, you're already a mile away AND you have their

shoes." ~ a very pious intellectualTo: ACT_for_the_Public From: susandck@...Date: Tue, 6 Dec 2011 04:25:24 +0000Subject: Re: My own prison

I agree Bruce; it's the prison in my mind that allows my fears to control how I view life. I react to my life circumstances instead of responding to them. I've built walls emotionally and physically.

I tend to fuse with what I don't have instead of appreciating what I do have.

What I saw from the prisoners is that they had to face their greatest fears in a hostile environment where most has been taken from them. And still they have a desire to heal and love. Some opened up for the first time about the crime that brought them to prison and while it was painful for all, it was so amazing to see their burdens lifted. There is still much work in the healing process, but it's a beginning. And that's all you can do … begin.

Yes, I had a rewarding 4 days.

But know what?

Every day can be!

If I accept that it is, regardless of my circumstances and my fears.

Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.

This past 4 days, it was my privilege to minister to women at a local prison. It was amazing to see the transformation of the prisoners as they were ministered to.

During this, I realized quite a few things that I hope to use as learning experiences. Many of these are spiritually based and I am choosing not to discuss this on this forum as this is not the appropriate place.

I also did alot of processing that I believe are related to ACT topics. (to add to this to, one of the speakers briefly mentioned CBT!) As I was standing in the prison on the last morning, looking out the bars on the window, I realized that I have spend most of my life creating my own prison in the outside world. I have allowed my life circumstances to affect how I view myself, the world, others and my worth. I also realize that I have made significant progress in these areas and in this I rejoice. The most important value to me is my faith and when I engage in this while helping others, the lies I have been telling myself that have built up these prison walls start to be torn down and I do things that I never would have thought I had the confidence to do.

Values + committed action = joy!

Blessings!