by Antoine Williams, Ironwood State Prison in Blythe, CA
Throughout the course of my 37 years of living I would say half of that time was spent seeking things that I thought were important. When I was a teenager I believed that having a lot of girlfriends, money and street cred were the goals to strive for. Without question, if it was not about these things it did not matter to me. So from the age of 13 to 15 years old I was in the streets with no regard to how my actions would impact me, my family, or anyone that tried to get in the way of my goals.
In July of 2000, I was eventually arrested at the age of 15 for murder and eventually sentenced to 69 years to life in prison and in that instant my priorities changed. They went from trying to get money, girls and hood fame to just wanting to be free again. For the past 22 years I am still striving to achieve that goal.
At some point throughout everyone’s life there will come a time where your priorities will shift, whether it’s because of circumstances out of one’s control or a situation like mine where as a result of your actions you are faced with a huge wake up call.
For most people who have served time in some capacity, their incarcerations were due in large part because of their priorities. They were either focused on achieving goals that were driven by their pride, ego, or materialistic aspirations. But after their time in jail we all came to understand that the only things that really mattered were their real family (the people who are still there for you when you’re at your worse), your God, and your freedom. It took me getting a life sentence at the age of 15 years old to realize that my priorities were extremely off.
For those of you reading this I would ask that you take the time to reevaluate your priorities. First, ask yourself, “Are my priorities in line with the law?”
Next ask yourself what will my sacrifice be if I keep my priorities the same? And am I willing to make that sacrifice?
Of course most of us could say that looking back we would have made different choices. What I want is for you not to have to look back but to plan ahead and that starts with the priorities that you set in place now. Don’t be like me and wait ‘till your choices are made for you and you are forced to reevaluate your actions.
Life is way too short and we only get one life to live so they try to live it in the most positive of circumstances with the right priorities in place to help guide you along the way. I am happy to say that because of my priorities changing I graduated college and earned an Associate’s Degree in Communication, participated in several rehabilitative programs and could possibly be released on parole next year, 2023.
I’ve been trouble-free for the past five years and most importantly the people in my life who mean the most to me are proud of the man I’ve become. I can now walk with my head held high because at the end of the day making my family proud gives me absolute joy.
I pray that one day all of you can also feel that same pride and joy because of your transformation. And who would have thought that all it took was to change your priorities.