Self-honesty – “I’m innocent!”
The truth – “I didn’t do it!”
How many times have you heard these words?
How many times have they been used “to get away with it?” or not wanting to accept the consequences of one’s behaviour?
At 14 years of age my teacher, at Blacktow Patrician Brothers, gave me ‘six’ of the best [the cane] for something I did not honestly do – I was innocent!
I was hurt, angry, furious, resentful and looking for justice – revenge! What I wasn’t going to do to that teacher. At home I complained to my Dad.
He said, “Son, if you come home tomorrow and whinge for getting punished for something you didn’t do, I’ll give too ‘six more!’”
Shocked, I said: “That’s not fair. Why?”
Dad: “The ‘six’ I give you will be for the many times you got away with it?”
This I realise now, is wisdom.
I’m now self-honest. Internally free. I cope with injustice.
David
Self-honesty – “I’m innocent!”
The truth – “I didn’t do it!”
How many times have you heard these words?
How many times have they been used “to get away with it?” or not wanting to accept the consequences of one’s behaviour?
At 14 years of age my teacher, at Blacktow Patrician Brothers, gave me ‘six’ of the best [the cane] for something I did not honestly do – I was innocent!
I was hurt, angry, furious, resentful and looking for justice – revenge! What I wasn’t going to do to that teacher. At home I complained to my Dad.
He said, “Son, if you come home tomorrow and whinge for getting punished for something you didn’t do, I’ll give too ‘six more!’”
Shocked, I said: “That’s not fair. Why?”
Dad: “The ‘six’ I give you will be for the many times you got away with it?”
This I realise now, is wisdom.
I’m now self-honest. Internally free. I cope with injustice.
David
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While being incarcerated, I have learnt how many members of the community are Deaf and have a lot of trouble communicating as very few people know how to use sign language.
When I get out I’m going to be hitting the gym but not sure if I’ll be taking steroids.
I just wanted to give a big shout out to the amazing people at the Salvation Army for everything that they do for us in prison and outside in the community over the Christmas period.
It’s a positive and strange feeling hearing your own story through the words of another and here was me thinking I was alone in my travels as many of us do.
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