Every day I wake up is a second chance…

I was drained from the lifestyle I led. Daily tasks turned into an agonizing grind of day to day burdens; the walls of life were closing on my soul. I did a number of things I am not proud of and they still haunt me like chilling childhood memories. Looking back, I can honestly say I didn’t deserve a second chance.

I sat in a jail cell; it was cold with pungent air, and I truly felt confined. I’d been in a number of cells over the years but this time was different. Nauseating symptoms engulfed my stomach while my mind paced. I looked at the brown lifeless walls and thought, how will I get out of this one? This was my lifestyle; feeding my addictions, pilfering off others, and I was completely absorbed by selfish acts. As I sat on the corroding jail floor, looking at the dreary lifeless ceiling, I realized it was time to change. The only problem was it might have been too late…

Judgment Day

What defines bad acts? What actions make a person evil? When these acts occur, is a person automatically evil? These questions are irrelevant to the imperative matter that our courts and society face every day; do people deserve second, third or multiple chances?

I read some articles the other day…

A brother and sister were wrestling for fun in their house and the brother accidentally snapped the sisters’ neck consequently killing her. His trial came and he was charged as an adult at the age of 15; he was prosecuted and sentenced to twenty years.

A mother left her daughter playing in their backyard by a pond. The pond was frozen and the little girl fell through and drowned. It was later found out that the mother was intoxicated at the time. Neither negligence nor murder charges were filed. She applied to an adoption agency years later and was approved for a child.

Looking at these reports made me question how our society views second and third chances. Why does a court or a panel of people decide on another person’s future? Are we not all equals? Our society is built on the principle of court municipal institutions, but who are we to decide the future of another being.

Recovery

My father always told me good character is vital when becoming a man. Strong morals and commendable values including integrity, selflessness, and responsibility are ideas he preached to me; I never bothered to listen. He was someone I always turned to and no matter how bad I messed up, he always bailed me out of my predicaments. However, every time he rescued me from my foolishness, I managed to go right back to the same behavior. I can’t count the number of second and third chances I’ve received in a lifetime.

As I sat on the deteriorated floor in the aged cell I finally understood what my dad was saying all these years.  Luckily, it wasn’t too late for me. I thought I caused irreparable damaged that could never be undone; I was wrong.  I’m not sure if the police saw a good kid deep down or if it was just destiny, but I made it out of that cell. When I got out I made a promise to myself; never again will I journey to those dark disturbing depths.

To this day I contemplate on how I managed to recover; I sure as hell didn’t deserve it. I think my life turned around for one reason, desire. For once I had the desire to be a noble person. All the years of awful behavior finally caught up to me; guilt wrapped around my soul like a fierce sinister force and I became engulfed in remorse and misery. It was time to change and I finally had the willpower. I truly do see every day as a second chance. I practice the ideas my father taught me and I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve been granted.

Instead of sitting in those aged jail cells, I made it to a magnificent private university. Higher education has influenced me to become a better person. I participate in community outreach programs, including mentoring misguided and less fortunate children. My new lifestyle is glorious. Instead of the draining agonizing grind, I experience peace and serenity while cherishing every moment of my newfound life.

Terminating Terrible Tendencies

A Question Remains Unanswered

No mans fate should be determined by another man. Looking at my life, I believe second and third chances should not be given out, they should be earned. People make mistakes and people go down the wrong path; however, for us as a civilization to decide that a person is evil is beyond unjust. Our courts have paroled people who go back out and break the law and at the same time they have imprisoned innocent people. When looking at the bigger picture, sometimes things balance out on their own. The saying “what goes around, comes around” is more than just a saying in my eyes.

To answer the controversial conundrum, do people deserve second chances is complex. Second chances should be decided by the people who are receiving them. People change and this defines whether a second or third chance is deserved. If someone wants to faithfully make a change, why should they be denied this opportunity? Second chances are hope and it has become the most exhilarating part of my life. If you believe in a second chance, it’ll come; if it doesn’t come right away there’s always chance. Never give up hope and never give up on someone, believe in second chances, it worked for me and maybe it will for you or somebody in your life.

~ Second chances are given every day. We don’t always take them, but they’re always there. ~

~Elliot Cohn~