Second Chances

I believe in second chances. In this thing called life, we all make choices, some bad and some good. Being that we are only human and we all make mistakes, I believe that people can learn from their mistakes and deserve a second chance.

The main reason I believe so strongly in giving second chances is I have been that person. I have hit rock bottom and made choices in my life that have not only hurt myself but my family. I know what it means to need a second chance. When I was about 20 years old, I got caught up in drugs and the money that came with it. I was selling and doing drugs, a lot of them. I didn’t care who I hurt as long as I was ” feeling good”. Eventually all this caught up with me, and I was arrested. Long story short, I received a eight year sentence at 30%, meaning I had to serve 30% of eight years before I would be eligible for parole. I was terrified! I had never been in trouble , and the first time I messed up I got eight years.

During my incarceration I had plenty of time to think about my choices and how it affected people around me. I came to the realization that being arrested probably saved my life and that if I didn’t change the path I was on I was going to end up dead or in jail. I made up my mind that I would do what it took to become a better person for myself and my family.

In prison, I started taking classes and going to NA meetings. I made amends with the people I had hurt with my addiction. I forgave myself and decided when I got out I would make my life meaningful. After about two and half years, I was released and started my adventure of trying to rebuild the life I had destroyed and finding a job. Many times I remember applying for a job and when you get to that part where it asks if you have ever been convicted of a felony, I would just shake my head because I found out that 9 out of 10 places would basically throw my application in the trash because of my past. I never let this get me down, I knew there was someone out there willing to give me a chance. I just had to find them. Then one day,I got a phone call from a lady I had applied for a cleaning job, and she asked me to come in for a interview. During the interview she proceeded to tell me about her past and that she too knew what I was going through. she understood and wanted to help. She gave me a second chance, and hired me.

In the end I would not change any of the choices I have made in my lifetime. The good ones, the bad ones, they all make me who I am today. I have learned not to let a mistake or a bad choice define who I am as a person and where I will end up in life. There is no getting around it people, we are all going to eventually make a decision that we are not proud of or hurt someone you care about, but the main thing is to learn from our mistakes and move on with our lives. So with that being said, please in the future, if someone messes up or makes a bad decision, try giving them a second chance to make it right. I mean it could be you needing the second chance one day.