Only Human: A Journey from Convict to Mentor - PDF free download eBook

Introduction

I was a criminal for a long time, and it just doesn't suit me anymore. I spun in and out of jail and prison since the age of 12. I was angry with the world, with the man who abused me as a...

Some brief overview of this book

I was a criminal for a long time, and it just doesn't suit me anymore. I spun in and out of jail and prison since the age of 12. I was angry with the world, with the man who abused me as a child, with myself.

I was violent. I had drug and alcohol problems. I rejected my two kids and thought, "good riddance".

I just didn't care about others. I welcomed the idea of overdosin I was a criminal for a long time, and it just doesn't suit me anymore. I spun in and out of jail and prison since the age of 12.

I was angry with the world, with the man who abused me as a child, with myself. I was violent. I had drug and alcohol problems.

I rejected my two kids and thought, "good riddance". I just didn't care about others. I welcomed the idea of overdosing; it seemed like a good way to end it all.

I am so different now. I almost want to change my name. Today I identify myself as a loving person.

I have joy and happiness with myself. I'm proud of myself for succeeding. I have hopes that others succeed.

I mean, I'm still Alton. I still have the capacity to go the other way, but my hope is that I don't. Today I would call myself a compassionate loving person, kind of a wimpy human being, like a sissified tweety bird.

Okay, I don't really mean that. The work I've done, opening up my wounds, learning to communicate in a healthy positive way, reconnecting with my family, finding forgiveness - all this took courage. So, I guess I'm a courageous tweety bird now.