Other essays on this theme

Essay: "Sources of Strength"

by Jonathan Hooper
I perceive this topic as a "mental/psychological" interpretation. The first source of strength for me would be the radio. To escape this chaotic atmosphere. Where I can let the music conjure up all the past memories of the good and bad times. And it's so much like a book, when you're reading it for a long period of time, you completely lose sense of reality around you and somehow feel as if you're right there in that world of fiction. But you don't notice it until you stop and put the book down. But actually music and books can't be a reliable source of strength cause anything could happen that could take away that source of strength. As in property restriction for 90 days. So I guess those would be more of a temporary source that can suffice for only a momentary escape. I know some guys that rather sleep their time away instead of facing the tribulation. One guy told me once he tries to sleep at least 12 hours a day and stay awake for 12 hours, thus only doing Â" his time, consciously, until his discharge. Clever, isn't it?

But I guess the best way to redeem your spirit is mail from those you really want to her from. It's crazy how much emotion and expectation we put into getting mail from someone. Cause in the free world, I can't remember ever checking my mailbox that was the last thing I was concerned about. But now, it's pitiful, but me and most of us live for that mail call. It can make us and then it can destroy us. But I don't wait for it anymore. It sounds contradicting but I and I don't. I've given up on expectation and have been barely hanging onto optimism. So it's a strength when I get mail and it's a weakness when I don't. I've learned to accept human nature and recognize their patterns. So that way it's just another part of doing time. When that source of strength wears out then I move onto another.

This writing program is an excellent source of strength. It's consistent and non discriminatory and open minded to my thoughts. Shit, that's what makes this program exist, right? Mine and your thoughts on paper? And those who distribute them? I guess when I really think about it, I have no source of strength, just a source of mental escape.