What would you think if I told you how much I admire a guy who went to prison after robbing five banks at a point where he had been strung out on drugs for half his life? Would you wonder about my judgment?
You wouldn't if you knew the rest of the story, which I've been reading in From Desperation to Dedication: An Ex-Con's Lessons on Turning Failure Into Success.
At 28, Troy Evans' number one priority was getting his next fix. He had alienated his family, his friends, and had gone through numerous failed attempts at treatment. His plan if the police ever caught him in the midst of a robbery was a suicidal "death by cops." He was at rock bottom.
Fortunately, as he sees it, he was arrested and sentenced to thirteen years in prison. While in prison, a moment with his young son, who he had only ever known outside of prison through a drug-induced haze, provided the spark he needed to commit to turning his life around. He discovered hope, and ultimately discovered that others could believe in him. His persistence in pursuing an education eventually landed him a college scholarship and he began studying for the first of the two degrees he earned while incarcerated.
Today, Evans is a motivational speaker, traveling around the country and telling his story.
In a way, it's a story we've all heard. Guy experiences hard knocks, hits bottom, and (cue the inspiring music) has an epiphany that turns his life around. And yet it's a story we don't hear enough.
Not least because it's proof of what we can do, regardless of where we are in our lives and the challenges we face.
It's so easy to get lost in our own challenges. It's easy to feel like throwing up our arms and saying, "There's no hope. I give up," if things get especially trying. But the reality is, whatever our challenge, there almost always is hope. It's just not as easy, or as clearcut, or as fast as we would like it.
Stories like Troy Evans' are a great reminder.
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Yep. Another man who chose take responsibility for himself and become a contributor. It's never too late.
Posted by: Pete Aldin | April 04, 2007 at 04:46 PM